Ghanaian waste entrepreneurs gain global recognition for environmental impact

Ghana's Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO) has been awarded the prestigious Earthshot Prize, joining an elite group of environmental innovators worldwide.

Petro Kotzé reports for Mongabay.

In short:

• GAYO received the Earthshot Prize, worth £1 million, for pioneering waste management practices that prevent harmful burning and create fair work opportunities for waste collectors.
• The Earthshot Prize, founded by Prince William, funds environmental solutions, awarding five winners annually across categories like waste reduction and climate protection.
• This year's Earthshot event in Cape Town brought global attention to sustainable initiatives from across Africa, spotlighting GAYO and other trailblazers in ecological innovation.

Key quote:

“If our solutions can go this far, then anybody’s innovation also has the potential.”

— Desmond Alugnoa, co-founder of GAYO

Why this matters:

At the intersection of sustainability and social justice, with a mission that redefines waste as opportunity, GAYO is working to bring much-needed fairness and dignity to an industry built on the backs of low-paid, often invisible workers.

Read more: E-waste linked to decreased fertility hormones in Nigerian men.