The Jospong Group of Companies, in partnership with Austrian waste technology firm Komptech GmbH, has commenced a nationwide capacity-building programme for district waste managers under its newly launched “Jospong-Komptech Waste Academy.”
The training, which began in the Ashanti Region, forms part of a broader initiative to develop local expertise in sustainable waste management practices. It is being delivered to Zoomlion Ghana Limited’s district managers and focuses on key areas including Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM), the Circular Economy, Composting, Landfill Management and Emissions Treatment, and Thermal Waste Recovery (Refuse Derived Fuel).
Enhancing Local Expertise Through International Collaboration
Project Manager of the Jospong-Komptech Waste Academy, Jacob Kwaku Ladi, explained that the programme stems from an international collaboration involving the Austrian Development Agency, the Technical University of Vienna, and ICEP, a social impact NGO based in Austria.
According to Mr. Ladi, the partnership secured a grant to support the development of Ghanaian waste management professionals through expert-led training. The initiative builds on an earlier phase launched in Accra, where senior executives and regional waste managers underwent training from Komptech engineers and academic experts from Vienna.
He noted that selected Jospong Group staff had already participated in intensive training sessions and study tours in Austria, equipping them to serve as certified local trainers for the nationwide rollout. In addition, members of the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG) are expected to join the training sessions.
Bridging the Knowledge Gap
James Deku, a lead trainer with the Academy, led sessions on integrated waste strategies, circular economy principles, landfill operations, and emissions control—critical areas for modernising Ghana’s waste infrastructure.
One of the trainees, Alex Fordjour, an Operations Assistant at the Nwabiagya Municipal Office, described the training as transformative.
“Even though I hold a BSc in Environmental Science from KNUST, this training was far more practical and comprehensive. It has given me deeper insight into waste management systems,” he remarked.
Mr. Fordjour added that he is eager to apply the strategies learned to improve waste handling and public health in his district.
A Step Toward a Cleaner, Greener Ghana
The Jospong-Komptech Waste Academy underscores the growing importance of professionalised waste management in Ghana’s development agenda. As the programme expands to other regions, it aims to build a nationwide network of highly skilled waste professionals equipped to tackle the country’s sanitation challenges through innovative, sustainable solutions.
