The Ministry of Local Government in collaboration with the Green Africa Youth Organisation (GAYO), a pan-African, youth-led organisation on climate solutions, has launched the Federation of Informal Sector Waste Workers Associations of Ghana (FISWWAG), the country’s union for informal waste workers.
The new union gives informal waste workers, many of whom recover recyclable materials, divert waste from landfill, and supply industries with secondary raw materials, a unified voice to engage with the government, municipalities, industry and development partners for the first time.
Its mandate includes advocating safer working conditions, stronger worker organisations, better access to markets, social protection, occupational health and safety, and meaningful participation in policy decisions affecting the sector.
Launched in Accra last Friday on the theme: "From Informality to Inclusion: Recognising Informal Waste Workers as Essential Actors in Ghana's Circular Economy," it brought together waste workers’ leaders from all 16 regions alongside government officials, development partners, and private sector actors.
The launch marks the culmination of a five-year journey by GAYO to organise and mobilise waste pickers across the country, a process that began with a single waste picker cooperative and has grown into a nationwide movement recognising the environmental and economic contribution of informal waste workers.
The initiative was funded by partners, including the UMI Fund, the Earthshot Prize, Global Methane Hub, and the Clean Air Fund, alongside technical and institutional partners such as Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), the Ghana National Plastic Action Partnership (Ghana NPAP), the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, People's Dialogue, Impact Footprint Africa, IESS Legon, Green Growth Africa, Work First Mile, CONIWAS, and a wide network of government institutions, recycling companies and civil society organisations.
Commitment
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo, confirmed the union's formation as a lawful exercise under the Labour Act 2003 (Act 651) and Ghana's ratified International Labour Organisation conventions on freedom of association.
"The formation of the National Informal Waste Worker Union is, therefore, a lawful exercise of constitutional and statutory underpinnings, and the government fully recognises this important development," he said, pledging the government's commitment to safe workplaces, social dialogue, and inclusive employment for the sector.
Representation
The Executive Director of GAYO, Richard Matey, said the launch reflected years of organising and relationship-building.
"Recognition requires organisation.
Organisation requires representation.
Representation requires partnerships.
That understanding shaped the journey that has brought us here today," he said.
He added that inclusion for the sector was an ongoing process that would continue with legal recognition, municipal integration, and expanded market access.
Mr Matey said the priorities going forward include strengthening the union's institutional capacity, expanding partnerships with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), improving access to social protection and occupational health services, and integrating waste workers more fully into Ghana's circular economy and Extended Producer Responsibility systems.
He urged other government institutions, private companies, producer responsibility organisations, research institutions, foundations, and development partners not yet involved to join the effort to help deliver a safer environment.
