By Alex Adi
General manager for Sewage Systems Ghana Limited (SSGL), a subsidiary of Zoomlion Ghana Limited (ZGL), , Lola Asiseh Ashitey is asking the government to prioritize regular payment for waste management services. Ms. Ashitey said survival and successful operation of the sewage systems requires prompt payments. This was part of challenges highlighted during a tour by members of the Parliamentary Press Corps of ZGL’s project facilities in Accra, Wednesday, 19, 2025.
She contended that though SSGL played a critical role in addressing Ghana’s wastewater management challenges, operating six treatment plants across the country. There are plans to expand to all 16 regions and delayed government payments posed a significant threat to the company’s ability to operate smoothly and expand its services. “The government’s timely payment for our services is crucial for our operations,” Ashitey stressed. “Delayed payments affect our ability to maintain our equipment, pay our staff, and expand our services to other regions,” she lamented.
Additionally, Ms. Asiseh Ashitey revealed that SSGL faced several challenges, including liquid waste mixed with solid waste, which cause blockages in pipes and disrupts operations. “Limited support and patronage and high operational costs also hinder the company’s ability to expand nationwide and scale operations across Africa,” she noted.
The company was established in 2017 and has revolutionized wastewater treatment in Ghana. “Before our establishment, wastewater was discharged directly into the sea. Today, we treat wastewater from homes, process faecal waste, and operate six treatment plants in locations like Lavender Hill, Kotoku, Kumasi, and Takoradi. Our goal is to have treatment plants in all 16 regions of Ghana,” she assured.
Beyond waste treatment, the company maximises its by-products. Solid waste is converted into charcoal and compost, while liquid waste is repurposed for irrigation. Currently, only 5% of Ghana is connected to a sewage system, within areas such as Cantonments, Parliament House, Akosombo and parts of Osu.
The media team also visited the Accra Compost and Recycling Plant (ACARP), where the Assistant Plant Manager, Benjamin Asante-Ayeh, walked journalists through the facility’s operations. According to him, ACARP processes municipal solid waste, recover plastics, rubber, and organic materials, with an impressive 70% recycling recovery rate, adding that the plant produces organic compost for farmlands and manufactures items like dustbins and buckets from recycled plastics. The team also visited Zoomlion’s Transfer Station at Pantang-Abokobi.
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