“A cleaner Ghana, for us and for the Planet”: I’ll tell you about the green mission of the Buz Stop Boys

In an era where indifference and apathy often seem to prevail, a breath of energy and commitment comes from the streets of Accra, the capital of Ghana. Here, a group of young people, armed with brooms, shovels and a lot of good will, is challenging the status quo and transforming the face of the city. They are the Buz Stop Boysa spontaneous movement born from the will of clean Accra of the piles of waste that plague it.

Led by Heneba Kwadwo Sarfoa civil engineer with a strong civic sense, the Buz Stop Boys meet regularly to clear streets, sidewalks and drains of garbage. “Our goal is not just to clean the streets, but also to change mentalities,” Sarfo told the BBC. “If we can make people understand that keeping the environment clean is a benefit for everyonewe will have a cleaner, healthier and prouder Ghana.”

The initiative, founded in July 2023 with a group of five people, quickly grew through word of mouth and the use of social media. Today, the Buz Stop Boys they have over 40 volunteersincluding midwives, carpenters, military officers and students, united by a single goal: take care of your environment.

Their story has transcended national borders, inspiring young people from all over the world. A group of students from the UK, impressed by their dedication, decided to spend their summer holidays in Accra to join the clean-up operation.

But the impact of the Buz Stop Boys goes far beyond simply removing waste. Their example has awakened consciences, demonstrating that individual action can make a difference. “Don’t sit at home and say you don’t care,” Sarfo said. “One thing is fundamental: without the environment we are useless, we are nothingness and we cannot survive on this Planet”.

The echo of their commitment also reached the ears of celebrities and politicians. The musician Sister Derby and dancehall star Shatta Wale have publicly praised the Buz Stop Boys, helping to raise funds to support their activities. Even the former president John Mahama and the Minister of Transport Asensu Boakye they donated large sums of money to the group.

“These guys are the real heroes,” Shatta Wale said. “They are doing what most of us are too busy or proud to do. If we helped them all, imagine how beautiful Accra would be“.

A global problem, a local solution

Ghana’s experience in waste management offers interesting insights for other developing countries. Rapid urbanization and population growth challenge cities’ ability to manage waste efficiently. In Ghana, we read in a 2022 UNDP report, around 12,700 tonnes of solid waste are produced per day, of which only 10% is disposed of correctly.

To address this challenge, Ghana has adopted a multifactorial approach that includes:

• Regulatory and institutional frameworks: the country has developed a national strategy for waste management and established public-private partnerships to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the sector;
• Sustainable financing: the government is working to create a system of extended producer responsibility, in which importers and local producers contribute to the cost of managing end-of-life waste;
• Data and technology: Access to information, data and innovative technologies is fundamental for efficient waste management. Ghana is investing in digital platforms and innovation centers to promote knowledge sharing and the development of local solutions;
• Awareness: Awareness and information campaigns are essential to change community attitudes towards waste management and promote responsible behaviour.

The example of Nelson Boateng

Among the pioneers of waste management in Ghana is Nelson Boatenga software engineer and entrepreneur who found an innovative way to recycle plastic: build houses using bricks made from plastic waste.

Boateng collaborates with waste collectors, who every day they collect around 20,000 tonnes of plastic. This plastic is then transformed into bricks and paving material, offering a sustainable solution to the waste problem and helping to create affordable housing.

The efforts of the Buz Stop Boys and other innovators like Nelson Boateng demonstrate that Ghana is taking the challenge of waste management seriously. Their story is an example of how grassroots action, combined with effective government policies and smart use of technology, can lead to positive change and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future.