In 2017, after seven pioneering years, Safisana opened its first recycling plant in Ashaiman, a community in the Greater Accra area of over 250,000 inhabitants, 90 per cent of whom live below the poverty line.
Commissioned by the local municipality, and the Ministries of Energy, Food and Agriculture, the Safisana plant was the first waste to resource facility in West Africa, financed by the African Development Bank, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and private funds. With the circular economy being firmly still in the theoretic phase, we invested in our relationships with the critical partners, and we learnt what was needed to achieve a truly local approach.
Today the recycling plant located in Ashaiman has grown into an economically stable, locally managed company – run by a team of over 30 highly skilled local specialists. A blueprint for replication.
To date the recycling plant has improved the lives of thousands of people living and working in Ashaiman, generating social, economic, and environmental benefits for individuals and the community as a whole.
Improved sanitation services and waste collection have led to a cleaner and hygienic living and working environment with less direct exposure to waste, less spreading of deadly diseases and viruses, and less pollution of air, water and soil. Improved personal health and wellbeing also leads to an increase in productivity and economic livelidhoods. Safisana provides direct employment and work for local SMEs such as waste collecting companies, truck drivers, toilet operators.
The use of renewable clean energy such as biogas and electricity contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and climate mitigation. The use of nutrient-rich organic fertilizer significantly improves the quality of the soil and quantity in yields, enhancing local food production and food security for the communities.
Meet Miss Agyeiwaa, Food Vendor at
local Ashaiman Food Market
Meet local farmer Kelly Ampofo from Unique Vegetable Farms Limited
Meet Kwabena Ampadu Otu - Danquah
Former Director of Renewable Energy
at the Energy Commission
The more waste we recycle, the more impact we can make on peoples health and the einvironment. Are you a large food processing industries that want to start recycling your waste, reduce your carbon footprint and make a health impact on the community? Read more how to get involved or contact us.
Ghana, Kumasi
Uganda, Kampala
Contact us
Safisana Holding,
Weesp, The Netherlands
+31 (0) 294 773857
info@safisana.org