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.

Explore the projects → Government briefing

PROJECT STATUS: Independent proposal seeking government, market-association and technical partners.

2proposed pilot markets
4collection zones per concept
GH₵10proposed weekly contribution
Basharu Anouku, founder of the Ghana Clean Market Initiative
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
Contact Basharu →
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.

01

Sort

Separate organic waste, plastics, paper/cardboard, metals and general waste.

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.

Agbogbloshie four-side sorting street concept
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 ↓
KEJETIA
KUMASI
ZONE A
Market interface
ZONE B
Recycling
ZONE C
Main market
ZONE D
Transport
EXPANSION • KUMASI

Kejetia Clean & Sort

Kejetia should use a site-specific layout around its market, transport and pedestrian flows. 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
Request the full Kejetia concept →
HOW IT WORKS

Large underground containers — not small bins on the street.

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 clear
KNOWLEDGE 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
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
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