The Gambia has signed a MoU with the Jospong Group to implement tailored waste management solutions designed for Africa. The agreement aims to develop a waste treatment facility through a Public-Private Partnership, showcasing the importance of localized strategies in addressing environmental concerns. The collaboration is seen as a crucial step in fostering regional development and innovation.
The Gambia has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Jospong Group of Companies (JGC) to implement an African-centered waste management solution. The agreement was signed by Rohey John Manjang, Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources, and Joseph Siaw Agyepong, Executive Chairman of the JGC, on March 3, 2025, in Accra. This initiative is framed as an “African solution to an African challenge.”
Manjang emphasized the necessity for Africa to create domestic strategies to address its issues. She outlined her goal to establish a waste treatment facility in The Gambia within six months, using a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. “For Africa to go forward with our limited resources, we need to be innovative in making sure that we fix our problems,” she stated.
The signing follows a recent tour undertaken by a Gambian delegation of Jospong’s waste management operations in Ghana. This delegation, which included members of Parliament and technical experts, illustrated the importance of collaboration between government and private sectors. Manjang stated, “It is doable, it is workable, it is achievable, and we can do it in The Gambia.”
The MoU is viewed as a foundational step towards creating a comprehensive waste management framework for The Gambia. Manjang expressed her admiration for the capabilities exhibited during the recent tour, highlighting that the solutions designed in Africa could resolve local issues without incurring debt from foreign entities. She praised Jospong Group for its innovation and urged for cooperative efforts within Africa’s private sector to spur progress.
In his remarks, Joseph Siaw Agyepong attributed his group’s advancements to divine guidance. He underscored the importance of ideas and strategies over financial aid. According to him, African nations must seize the reins of their development, citing the successes of countries like Rwanda. He articulated, “What we need in Africa is ideas and strategy, not money.”
Prior to finalizing the MoU, the Gambian delegation met with Ghana’s Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed. He urged The Gambian government to protect Ghanaian investors, emphasizing the historical ties between Ghana and Gambia. He expressed, “Investments will only flow when investors feel safe.”
Murtala advocated for Jospong’s responsible corporate behavior in The Gambia, asserting that their operations should reflect positively on Ghana. He applauded Jospong’s leadership in addressing Ghana’s sanitation challenges, indicating their critical role in maintaining cleanliness in the country. The visit also included tours of Jospong’s waste management facilities to familiarize the Gambian delegation with effective practices.
Recognizing the interlinks between the two nations, Manjang articulated the benefits of collaboration in addressing environmental challenges and managing waste in a sustainable manner due to the increasing population of both countries. She affirmed the importance of adopting environmentally sustainable waste management solutions.
The Gambian delegation extensively toured Jospong’s facilities, including the Accra Composting and Recycling Plant, showcasing their commitment to these innovative methods of waste management, which they hope to replicate in The Gambia.
The signing of the MoU between The Gambia and the Jospong Group represents a significant step towards addressing waste management in Africa through localized solutions. With a target set to establish a waste treatment plant within six months, collaboration between the public and private sectors is deemed essential for overcoming environmental challenges. The positive historical relationship between Ghana and The Gambia further underscores the potential for effective cooperation in achieving sustainable development goals.
Original Source: 3news.com
