Effective waste management is crucial for the health, safety, and sustainability of any modern city, and Accra is no exception.
The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) plays a leading role in coordinating waste collection services in Accra, enforcing environmental sanitation standards, and promoting public health through its waste management departments.
This guide provides an overview of how to manage waste in Accra, the key departments responsible, and how residents and businesses can play their part.
🛋️ Waste Collection Services in Accra
AMA Waste Management
The AMA provides waste collection services either directly or through Private Waste Management Companies (PWMCs) licensed to operate in various zones across the city.
These services include:
- Door-to-door solid waste collection
- Public bin collection and clearing
- Bulk waste (e.g., furniture, construction debris) removal
- Market and commercial area waste management
Residents are required to register with approved service providers and pay waste collection fees based on the volume and frequency of collection.
🌐 AMA Waste Management Departments
The AMA oversees waste and sanitation through the Waste Management Department (WMD) and the Environmental Health Department.
1. Waste Management Department (WMD)
This department manages the operational side of waste services including:
- Contracting and supervising private service providers
- Managing public waste bins
- Organizing clean-up campaigns
- Coordinating landfill access and transfer stations
2. Environmental Health Department
Responsible for:
- Monitoring hygiene and sanitation conditions in public spaces
- Enforcing waste disposal laws
- Educating the public on sanitation and hygiene practices
- Issuing sanitation-related certificates and clearances
♻️ How to Manage Waste in Accra (For Residents and Businesses)
Below are the steps you need to follow to manage waste for businesses as well as individual residents in Accra:
1. Register with an Approved Waste Collector
- Contact the AMA or visit ama.gov.gh to get a list of licensed private waste companies.
- Sign a monthly or bi-weekly service agreement.
2. Separate Your Waste
- Segregate organic, recyclable, and hazardous waste at the source.
- Some providers offer color-coded bins to encourage sorting.
3. Pay Waste Collection Fees Promptly
- Residential waste fees typically range from GHS 20 to GHS 100 per month depending on the area and volume.
- Commercial properties may pay higher fees based on the waste category.
4. Avoid Illegal Dumping
- Dumping waste in unauthorized areas is punishable by fines or imprisonment under AMA sanitation bylaws.
5. Participate in Community Clean-Ups
- The AMA organizes monthly clean-up exercises in various communities. Join these efforts to promote environmental hygiene.
⚠️ Penalties for Non-Compliance
The AMA enforces strict waste management laws:
- Fines for illegal dumping: Up to GHS 1,000
- Closure of premises for poor sanitation
- Prosecution in sanitation courts for repeat offenders
👩🌾 AMA Waste Management Contact Details
Head Office: AMA City Hall, Barnes Road, Accra
Waste Management Dept: +233 (0) 302 668 380
Website: ama.gov.gh
📊 Consider This
Waste management in Accra is a shared responsibility.
With the support of the AMA’s departments and private service providers, residents and businesses can maintain clean environments, reduce disease risks, and contribute to a more sustainable city.
To get started, register with an approved waste collector, stay compliant with sanitation laws, and actively participate in keeping Accra clean.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information available as of 2025. Contact the Accra Metropolitan Assembly for the most current waste management guidelines and approved providers.
