2025 Reports

Addressing Waste Management in Accra

Kurlander, Daniel; Hamori, Janka; Arifa, Kwesi; Pomerantz, Sarah

This case study examines climate action in Accra, Ghana, with a focus on the unequal impacts of climate risks on residents of informal settlements. Rapid urbanization, mixed-use sprawl, and inadequate planning have heightened vulnerability to flooding, coastal erosion, and waste mismanagement. Indigenous Ga fishing communities and economic migrants face compounded risks from poor infrastructure, forced evictions, and limited waste services. While initiatives such as the Accra Climate Action Plan and sanitation projects have improved waste collection and promoted inclusive governance, challenges remain in funding, fast fashion waste, and coastal protection. Advancing community-led, well-financed solutions is crucial for equitable resilience.