Youth trained to tackle Africa’s waste crisis

The Africa Zero Waste Academy has begun its in-person training in Accra, Ghana, aiming to empower young Africans to tackle the continent's escalating waste and climate challenges. The initiative, a collaboration between the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA Africa) and the Green Africa Youth Organisation (GAYO), builds on a successful virtual training segment.

The academy focuses on equipping participants with practical skills to become zero waste practitioners. Its core objectives include strengthening their capacity to develop localized zero waste systems that effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions, foster the creation of green jobs, and promote healthier communities. This year's program saw approximately 1,200 climate and waste practitioners from across Africa apply, with selected participants ensuring gender balance and broad geographical representation.

"This is not just about managing waste better; it is about rethinking systems for climate resilience, green jobs, and community health," stated Madam Ama Asiedu, Zero Waste and Climate Programme Associate at GAIA Africa. She emphasized that zero waste systems must uphold human rights, protect the livelihoods of waste pickers and workers, and proactively prevent environmental harm.

Ms. Fathia Selasi Charway-Glover, Project Coordinator for Zero Waste Cities at GAYO, described zero waste as a systemic transformation requiring investment in people, technical knowledge, supportive policies, and inclusive infrastructure. The academy will enhance technical capacity and encourage cross-sector collaboration to accelerate Africa's transition to a circular economy. Participants are currently engaged in expert-led presentations and site visits to ongoing zero waste projects in Accra.

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This is not just about managing waste better; it is about rethinking systems for climate resilience, green jobs, and community health.