In honor of Global Recycling Day 2025, we speak with Safisana’s waste sourcing and plant operator Oscar Kwame Owuso (48) about his work and impact as a waste collector for Safisana in Ashaiman. Observed annually on March 18th, Global Recycling Day emphasizes the reduction of greenhouse gasses through recycling efforts. Recycling can save up to a reduction of billions of tonnes of CO2 production by 2030, part of the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals. Safisana’s Waste-to-Resource solution contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through waste management, recycling, and upcycling products. In the interview with Oscar, we discuss his day-to-day responsibilities and the importance of waste management and recycling in urban communities such as Ashaiman.
Can you tell us a little bit more about yourself?
“My name is Oscar Kwame Owusu. I am 48 years old and grew up close to Winneba in the central region of Ghana. I come from a large family, with seven boys and seven girls, and I am the oldest. When I was young, I always dreamed of becoming a soldier. Even though I may not be that now, I still help the country with the work I do today. I live in Ashaiman, close to Safisana, and when I’m not working, I like to watch football with friends.”
Your job is to source and collect organic waste for Safisana, can you tell us more about what you do?
“Together with Olivia Asantewaa and our Waste Sourcing Manager Michael Oppong, we make the Waste Sourcing Team of Safisana. Olivia and I visit the Ashaiman market daily to collect organic waste for Safisana’s recycling plant from the Market Queens - the women who sell fruits and vegetables in the Ashaiman market. As waste-sourcing assistants, we play an important part in Safisana’s operations. Because we need (quality) organic waste to produce green energy and our Asase Gyefo Premium Organic Fertilizer. Olivia and I have been working for Safisana for almost 8 years now. Since she started the job a little before me, Olivia helped me to understand my work when I just started.”
What does a regular day at work look like for you?
“Olivia and I usually go to the local market multiple times a day. Varying from 1 to 4 trips, the number depends on the season. Moreover, during the rainy season, our workload increases. This is the peak farming season in Ghana. Hence, more fruits and vegetables are produced and sent to local markets in Accra, which results in more organic waste produced.
Normally, Olivia and I take our waste tricycle to the Ashaiman market, about a 10-minute drive from the plant. We go through the market and collect waste from the Market Queens. I usually drive, and Olivia interacts with the Market Queens the most. Since we have been doing this work for years, most Market Queens wait for us with their waste buckets ready. We help the Market Queens empty their baskets of waste into the tricycle. After all these years, we have become quite well-known in the area. Even on days when we are not at work, people recognize me around Ashaiman.”
Safisana's Waste Management Service
“The difference between Safisana and other waste management services in Ghana is that we collect waste for free. Usually, Market Queens have to pay a stipend to have their waste collected, however, Safisana recognizes the value of waste so we offer this service at no charge. Once our tricycle is full, we return to the Safisana plant and dislodge it at the organic waste piles.”
Aside from Safisana’s free waste management service, do you notice other benefits that Safisana’ provides to the Market Queens?
“Yes for sure, over the years, Safisana has hosted many interactive events with them at the market, for example on Global Recycling Day and World Toilet Day. This helped the Market Queens get a more comprehensive understanding of what we do at Safisana. One time they even came to the plant to see Safisana’s operations with their own eyes.”Safisana also organized multiple waste segregation workshops for the Market Queens to improve their knowledge and our efficiency in waste sourcing. Over the years, I have seen the change and impact of these workshops on how the Market Queens segregate waste. Whereas, years ago, we spent quite some time removing non-organic materials from the collected waste at the plant, the Market Queens now usually provide us with baskets of solely organic waste, which significantly enhances our waste processing productivity.”
To what extent do you think Safisana waste management and recycling service impacts the Ashaiman community?
“Safisana’s impact on the community is huge! The waste segregation training we did last year on Global Recycling Day has yielded significant benefits in segregation skills and understanding. Our waste management service impacts Ashaiman as a whole, we keep the community clean! Without Safisana, Ashaiman would look much different, much dirtier. There are many more areas in Ghana that need improved waste management and recycling. I hope we can expand with Safisana and provide services to help clean up Ghana and improve communities' livelihoods.”
Global Recycling Day 2025
In celebration of Global Recycling Day, Safisana is hosting an educational event, inviting a group of schoolchildren from Ashaiman to visit our recycling plant. The goal of this initiative is to raise awareness about upcycling, recycling, and sustainable waste management while motivating the youth to become active participants in environmental sustainability. Waste management remains a challenge in Ghana, where littering and open waste burning pose environmental and health risks. As future changemakers, the youth need to adopt and promote better waste practices at home, in school, and in their communities.
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