GAIA Africa and GAYO bring practitioners to Ghana to promote circular economy solutions and cut emissions from waste
By Bunmi Yekini
The Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA Africa) and the Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO) have launched the in-person phase of the Africa Zero Waste Academy 2026, bringing together climate and waste practitioners from across the continent to advance community-based waste management solutions.
The training, now in its second year, follows a five-week online programme and aims to equip participants with practical skills to develop localised zero-waste systems that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create green jobs and improve public health.
More than 1,200 applicants from across Africa sought places in the academy, with organisers selecting participants to ensure gender balance and broad geographical representation.
Organisers said the programme comes as countries seek sustainable ways to manage the more than 2.1 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste generated globally each year, with increasing attention on waste reduction as part of climate action.
“This is not just about managing waste better; it’s about rethinking systems for climate resilience, green jobs and community health,” said Ama Asiedu, GAIA Africa’s Zero Waste and Climate Programme Associate.
The in-person session in Ghana includes technical workshops, expert presentations and field visits to zero-waste projects in Accra, where participants will examine practical approaches to organic waste management, waste separation and circular economy initiatives.
The academy follows the United Nations’ designation of Accra earlier this year as one of 20 “Cities Towards Zero Waste”, recognising the Ghanaian capital’s efforts to reduce landfill waste and methane emissions through community-based waste management programmes.
Fathia Selasi Charway-Glover, Project Coordinator for Zero Waste Cities at GAYO, said achieving zero waste required governments and communities to redesign production and consumption systems while investing in skills, inclusive infrastructure and supportive policies.
“Achieving zero waste requires intentional investment in people, knowledge, policy coherence and inclusive infrastructure that recognises waste as a resource rather than a liability,” she said.
Participants previously completed virtual training covering waste characterisation, movement building and monitoring frameworks before attending the practical sessions in Ghana.
Organisers said the academy aims to build a network of practitioners capable of supporting the transition to a circular economy across Africa by helping communities reduce waste, cut emissions and create sustainable livelihoods.