Accra, Ghana – A groundbreaking study has unveiled that Ghana is losing an estimated GHS 6.2 billion each year due to the economic and health burdens caused by inadequate sanitation and waste management.
The research, conducted by the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) at the University of Ghana, was presented at a high-level forum in Accra on Thursday. It highlights a critical link between poor sanitation, widespread disease, and significant economic drain.
The study, titled An Economic Analysis of the Benefits of Adequate Investment in Waste Management and Sanitation in Ghana, was led by Prof. Peter Quartey and Dr. Kwame Adjei-Mantey. It pinpoints five diseases closely linked to poor sanitation—malaria, cholera, pneumonia, typhoid fever, and diarrhoea—as the primary drivers of these losses.
According to the findings, these illnesses account for nearly 31.9 million lost workdays annually and contribute to an estimated 177,222 deaths. The direct medical costs for treating these preventable diseases amount to approximately GHS 5.8 billion every year. When combined with an additional GHS 650 million in lost productivity, the total annual economic burden surpasses GHS 6.2 billion.
Sanitation as an Investment, Not an Expense
Despite this massive annual loss, the report notes that Ghana's current spending on waste management is modest, averaging about GHS 38 per tonne of waste. The researchers used cost-benefit modelling to demonstrate the immense potential returns of increased investment.
Their analysis shows that under the current "business-as-usual" approach, every GHS 1 invested in waste management generates about GHS 180 in economic returns. However, if investment were to increase to a benchmark level of approximately GHS 1,028 per tonne—in line with other lower-middle-income countries—the returns could skyrocket to GHS 556 for every GHS 1 invested.
In absolute terms, this enhanced investment scenario could see national benefits reach nearly GHS 58 billion in 2025 and climb to GHS 67.2 billion by 2032. These gains are projected to come from sharp reductions in disease, mortality, and productivity losses.
Presenting the findings, Prof. Quartey urged the government to shift its perspective. "We must stop treating sanitation as a residual expenditure," he stressed. "Waste management must be viewed as a high-return development investment, capable of protecting public health and strengthening economic growth."
Stakeholders Debate Path Forward
The forum, which brought together policymakers, MPs, and development partners, featured robust discussions on the study's implications. While the research team confirmed that their modelling, based on global health data, attributed about 45% of the selected disease cases to waste exposure, stakeholders raised practical concerns.
Questions were raised about the applicability of the "best-case scenario" to rural and slum communities, where waste collection is irregular. Prof. Quartey acknowledged the complexity, suggesting that smaller-scale, flexible collection systems might be needed in such areas rather than a uniform national model.
Members of Parliament emphasised the need for stronger inter-agency coordination. While some advocated for a new National Sanitation Authority, others cautioned against creating more bureaucracy, suggesting instead that existing structures be strengthened.
The discussion also touched on the potential for job creation. Prof. Quartey noted that investing in sanitation, particularly in recycling and waste processing, could unlock significant "green jobs" and drive skills development.
The ISSER team concluded with a clear call to action, urging for increased, sustained investment in sanitation. They recommended targeted interventions for high-risk communities and stronger data systems within local assemblies to ensure sanitation is finally prioritised as a central pillar of Ghana's national development.
