The Gambia Partners with Jospong Group for Innovative Waste Management Solution

The Gambia has signed a MoU with the Jospong Group to implement tailored waste management solutions. The initiative aims to establish a waste treatment plant within six months through a Public Private Partnership. Officials highlighted the need for local solutions and collaborative efforts to overcome environmental challenges amid increasing population pressures.

The Gambia has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Jospong Group of Companies (JGC) to implement an innovative waste management solution tailored for African needs. Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources, Rohey John Manjang, officiated the signing on March 3, 2025, alongside Jospong Group’s Executive Chairman, Joseph Siaw Agyepong, during a ceremonial event held in Accra. This initiative is viewed as a proactive approach to address local waste management challenges.

Minister Manjang emphasized the necessity of African nations devising homegrown solutions, highlighting her ambition to establish a waste treatment plant in The Gambia within six months via a Public Private Partnership (PPP). She stated, “We need to be innovative in making sure that we fix our problems. We cannot just say that we do not have money.”

The MoU follows a five-day tour of Jospong Group’s waste management facilities in Ghana by a Gambian government delegation, which included various members of the National Assembly and technical experts from the National Environment Agency. Manjang noted the importance of collaboration between governments and the private sector, asserting that such partnerships are crucial for effective progress in waste management.

She expressed optimism, stating that the MoU marks the beginning of a well-structured plan for a comprehensive waste management system in The Gambia. “What we saw this past three days was amazing; it broke our heart for… this is an African made solution,” Manjang lamented, underscoring the feasibility of local implementation.

While aware of potential challenges, she remains committed to the ambition, asserting, “It is doable, it is workable, it is achievable, and we can do it in The Gambia.” Further acknowledging the Jospong Group’s commendable track record, Manjang called for collective innovation to drive Africa’s progress, emphasizing the critical role of private sector involvement.

Joseph Siaw Agyepong attributed the accomplishments of his organization to strategic innovation, asserting that Africa’s future relies on creative and strategic thinking rather than mere financial investments. He underscored the necessity for countries to harness their resources and capabilities, citing Rwanda as an empowering example.

The Gambian delegation also engaged with Ghana’s Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, seeking to strengthen ties and ensure the protection of Ghanaian investments in The Gambia. Hon. Muhammed urged the Gambian government to prioritize the security of foreign investors to encourage investment inflows, referencing the historical relationships that bind the two nations.

Rohey John Manjang further acknowledged their environmental similarities, suggesting that collaboration with Ghana could yield significant ecological solutions. The delegation’s tour also included visits to Jospong’s notable facilities, highlighting the importance of environmentally sustainable practices and the impact of population growth on waste management.

The signing of the MoU between The Gambia and the Jospong Group marks a significant step towards implementing sustainable waste management solutions tailored for African contexts. Emphasizing the importance of public-private partnerships and local innovation, officials expressed optimism for future collaboration. With mutual respect between The Gambia and Ghana, the aim is to tackle common environmental challenges through innovative strategies and secure investment opportunities.

Original Source: 3news.com