The Vice President of Liberia Jeremiah Kpan Koung took a significant step toward addressing Liberia’s waste management challenges during a tour of Ghana’s Accra Compost & Recycling Plant (ACARP) on Monday, November 18, 2024.
A release sent to this paper on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, said that the visit, facilitated by Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies, highlighted Ghana’s innovative and integrated approach to municipal solid waste (MSW) management.
Located in Adjen Kotoku near Accra, the ACARP facility boasts a daily processing capacity of 600 metric tons and employs over 300 people. It exemplifies a successful public-private partnership model that merges technology with environmental sustainability.
During the tour, Chairman Agyepong explained that ACARP produces high-quality organic compost for agricultural use while recycling plastics, metals, and paper for both local and international markets.
Vice President Koung commended Ghana’s advancements in waste management, highlighting Liberia’s significant challenges with plastic and solid waste management, which contribute to environmental pollution and climate change.
“Witnessing the operations of this modern facility underscores the potential for Liberia to adopt similar solutions through public-private partnerships,” he said.
Koung said Liberia could greatly benefit from ACARP’s approach, particularly in mitigating the harmful effects of greenhouse gases produced by unregulated waste.
“The collaboration between the Government of Ghana and ACARP sets a precedent that we could replicate to transform waste into resources while addressing climate impacts,” Koung said.
Dr. Agyepong expressed the Jospong Group’s commitment to extending its operations to Liberia, stating, “Our goal is to establish similar waste management and composting facilities in Liberia.
Recently, we met with President Joseph N. Boakai, Sr., and other Liberian stakeholders, including Monrovia City Mayor John Charuk Siafa, to explore this possibility.”
He revealed that the Jospong Group has secured funding guarantees to launch operations in Liberia without requiring upfront costs from the government.
Vice President Koung acknowledged Jospong Group’s proactive approach, saying, “I will share these insights with President Boakai and our team. This model offers a practical pathway to addressing waste management issues while promoting sustainable development.”
Jospong Group, a leading African holding company with a presence in 14 sectors of Ghana’s economy, continues to expand across the continent.
It is the largest producer of organic fertilizer in Ghana and recycles over 70% of recovered waste materials into semi-finished products for industrial use. The company is also in advanced discussions to replicate its waste management success in Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda.
