01
Sort
Separate organic waste, plastics, paper/cardboard, metals and general waste.
SORTEER STRAAT GHANA
Cleaner markets.
Clearer drains.
More jobs.
A national vision for cleaner, safer, flood-resilient and more prosperous markets — starting with Agbogbloshie in Accra and Kejetia in Kumasi.
PROJECT STATUS: Independent proposal seeking government, market-association and technical partners.
2proposed pilot markets
4collection zones per concept
GH₵10proposed weekly contribution
PROJECT FOUNDER
Basharu Anouku
Founder & Project Initiator — Ghana Clean Market Initiative
This initiative proposes a practical market-cleanliness model built around source separation, large-capacity underground waste containers, scheduled collection, recycling, drainage protection and local green jobs.
Ghana phone / WhatsApp+233 59 427 1566
Belgium phone / WhatsApp+32 466 321 167
Project focusAgbogbloshie • Kejetia • Market sanitation • Flood resilience • Green jobs
SEE THE VISION IN ACTION
A cleaner, healthier Ghana is possible.
Watch this AI concept video to see how underground waste containers, organised collection, modern waste management and youth participation could transform Ghana's markets.
✓Cleaner markets
✓Clearer drains
✓Green jobs
AI concept video — visualising the proposed Sorteer Straat Ghana approach.
THE CHALLENGE
Market waste is also an urban resilience problem.
Uncontrolled waste can enter drains, worsen sanitation conditions and increase pressure on already vulnerable urban systems. The proposal combines waste management with drainage maintenance, public-space improvements and measurable local services.
01Waste in drainsSolid waste can obstruct drainage pathways.
02Flood riskBlocked or poorly maintained drainage can increase local flood impacts.
03No source separationValuable recyclable materials are lost when mixed with general waste.
04Youth opportunityCollection, sorting, recycling and maintenance can support green jobs.
05Health & dignityCleaner public spaces support safer, healthier market environments.
06Economic disruptionFlooding and poor market conditions can damage goods and reduce trading activity.
OUR SOLUTION
Sort → Collect → Recycle → Maintain → Measure
The system is designed around five connected services, with local authorities and market associations involved in governance.
02
Collect
Use large-capacity, secure collection points and scheduled vehicles.
03
Recycle
Recover materials and connect them with recycling and processing businesses.
04
Maintain
Keep public areas and drains clean through scheduled local teams.
05
Measure
Track tonnes, collections, jobs, maintenance and service performance.
TWO STARTING POINTS
Agbogbloshie + Kejetia
Two different markets, one adaptable operating principle. Final infrastructure locations must be confirmed by professional site surveys and engineering studies.
PILOT • ACCRA
Agbogbloshie Clean & Sort
A four-side concept with high-capacity underground waste containers, safe collection access, clean pedestrian zones, recycling points and drainage protection.
01 North02 East03 South04 West
See the pilot plan ↓
EXPANSION • KUMASI
Kejetia Clean & Sort
Kejetia should use a site-specific layout around its market, transport and pedestrian flows. The project image below shows the intended approach: underground containers with collection equipment lifting the containers from below ground. The concept shows four collection zones rather than assuming the same geometry as Agbogbloshie.
- Large underground containers
- Dedicated collection-truck access
- Clean pedestrian walkways
- Recycling and trader education points
- Drain inspection and maintenance points
- Digital service monitoring
HOW IT WORKS
Large underground containers — clean, secure and built below ground.
The proposed infrastructure keeps high-capacity containers below ground or within engineered chambers, with controlled access above ground and dedicated truck operations.
01. Container below groundHigh capacity • secure • less visual clutter
→
TRUCK
02. Scheduled collectionPlanned routes • safe access • recorded service→
↑
03. Lift & emptyContainer lifted by suitable collection equipment→
✓
04. Clean zone restoredWalkway and drainage area kept clearKNOWLEDGE PARTNERSHIP
Inspired by Antwerp. Designed for Ghana.
The ambition is to learn from Antwerp's experience with organised waste separation and public-space management — then adapt the principles to Ghanaian market conditions rather than copying a foreign system exactly.
01Antwerp experienceKnowledge & operating lessons
→
02Ghana adaptationLocal market & climate context
→
03PilotMeasure what works
→
04ScaleOther markets across Ghana
What we are seeking from partners
Technical expertiseWaste-system designTraining & mentorshipOperational lessonsRecycling connectionsFunding pathways
LOCAL YOUTH ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION
BuzStopBoys — Ghanaian youth taking action for a cleaner Ghana.
BuzStopBoys is a Ghanaian youth-led, non-profit organisation working to improve the environment through community cleanups, environmental education and volunteerism.
BuzStopBoys volunteers during a community environmental activity in Ghana.
Our Ghana Clean Market Initiative builds on this kind of community action by combining youth participation with permanent infrastructure — underground waste containers, organised collection, recycling, drainage maintenance and sustainable market-cleaning services.
The goal is not to replace organisations like BuzStopBoys. It is to create the infrastructure, systems and employment opportunities that can help make environmental work more sustainable.
COMMUNITYWork with youth organisations and market communities.
ENVIRONMENTTurn regular cleanups into a permanent waste-management system.
JOBSCreate paid opportunities in collection, sorting, recycling, maintenance and monitoring.
Ghana does not lack young people willing to clean their communities.
What we need is the infrastructure, systems and investment that can turn their commitment into permanent environmental services and jobs.
IMPACT
Clean markets can become green-job markets.
Employment should be treated as a measurable project outcome: collection, cleaning, sorting, recycling, logistics, maintenance, monitoring and administration.
TRADERS
→CLEANING TEAMS
→SORTING
→RECYCLING BUSINESSES
→MORE JOBS
GH₵10Proposed weekly cleanliness contribution per participating trader/worker
SUSTAINABILITY MODEL
GH₵10 per week — with public accountability.
The figures below are an illustrative model based on 12,000 participating people. Actual participation, fee levels and legal arrangements must be agreed with market associations and authorities.
12,000Illustrative participants
× GH₵10Proposed weekly contribution
GH₵120,000Illustrative weekly gross
GH₵6.24mIllustrative 52-week gross
Potential usesCleaning teamsWaste collectionContainer maintenanceDrain maintenancePPE & safetyMonitoring
WHY GOVERNMENT SHOULD ENGAGE
A practical delivery model aligned with Ghana's sanitation direction.
Ghana's Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs has recently highlighted source separation, recycling, public education, accountability, monitoring dashboards, local-government performance and public/private collaboration as parts of the national sanitation agenda.
Waste segregation & recyclingSupports the direction of the reintroduced National Sanitation Day.
Local accountabilityCan feed measurable market-level service indicators into assembly oversight.
Climate resiliencePairs waste management with drainage maintenance and climate-informed planning.
Public-private partnershipCreates a structured role for waste companies, recyclers and development partners.
Policy reference: See the Ministry's official sanitation updates and policy materials in the Sources section below.
GOVERNMENT DASHBOARD
Measure the project, not just the promise.
A future secure dashboard can show verified project data in near real time.
IndicatorAgbogbloshieKejetia
Registered participants——
Waste collected (tonnes)——
Recyclables recovered (tonnes)——
Drains maintained (km)——
Cleaning / green jobs——
Collection points operational——
Service complaints resolved——
NATIONAL VISION
Agbogbloshie → Kejetia → Ghana
If the pilot works, the operating model can be adapted for other markets through local assemblies and market associations.
GHANA
MARKET NETWORK
MARKET NETWORK
NEXT STEP
Turn the concept into a serious pilot conversation.
The Ghana Clean Market Initiative is seeking the right partners to move from concept to feasibility: public authorities, market associations, waste and recycling companies, development partners, technical experts and Antwerp-based knowledge partners.
✓ Government & local-authority dialogue
✓ Market-association participation
✓ Technical & engineering feasibility
✓ Waste & recycling partnerships
✓ Youth and community participation
✓ Funding & implementation pathways
Ghana Clean Market Project Brief
A concise briefing document for government officials, the City of Antwerp, investors, NGOs and potential implementation partners.
Open Project Brief →BUILD THE PILOT
Let's bring government, markets and partners to one table.
We are seeking dialogue with Ghanaian authorities, market associations, private waste and recycling companies, development partners and the City of Antwerp.
FounderBasharu Anouku
First conceptsAgbogbloshie, Accra • Kejetia, Kumasi