Government plans regulated waste collection system to replace 'Aboboya'

The Minister for Local Government, Mahama Ayariga, has announced plans by the government to introduce a regulated waste collection system that could eventually replace the widely used aboboya system.

The proposed system will involve specially designed waste collection vehicles and an electronic payment platform aimed at making household waste collection more efficient and transparent.

Mahama Ayariga calls for changes to Ghana's waste management system

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Thursday, September 10, 2026, Ayariga said the government is considering the introduction of purpose-built vehicles that can collect waste from households and automatically load and discharge it at designated transfer stations.

He explained that the vehicles would take collected waste to transfer stations, from where larger trucks would transport it to landfill sites for final disposal.

The Minister said discussions had already been held with the Finance Minister about securing funding to procure the vehicles once the system is ready.

“So I’ve discussed with the Finance Minister; he says he’s willing to invest in those ones when those ones come, you can now replace that.”

Ayariga also disclosed that the government is working with banks and fintech companies to develop an electronic payment system for household waste collection.

Under the proposed arrangement, households would be able to pay for waste collection electronically through platforms such as mobile money.

He said the system would also introduce a more structured way of paying waste collection operators.

According to him, waste collected by the operators would be weighed when it is delivered to the transfer stations, with the quantity of waste discharged determining how much the operator would be paid.

The Minister said the approach would help bring greater accountability into the waste management process while ensuring that payments are linked to the actual volume of waste collected.

As part of the plan, the government also intends to construct transfer stations close to communities, with each station located within a maximum distance of five kilometres.

Ayariga said the measure is intended to make waste disposal more convenient for collection operators and improve the overall management of household waste, particularly in major cities.

NA/BAI