Around the world, roughly 3.6 billion people lack access to proper sanitation facilities like toilets or sewage systems, according to the International Code Council 2025. Regardless of location, this problem affects people daily and can be extremely difficult to overcome without the right resources or funds.
Dieudonne Kwame Agudah is addressing these challenges in Ghana through his company Washking, which he is growing in the Master of Business Creation (MBC) Global program.
Growing up in Ghana, Agudah saw the impacts of inadequate plumbing firsthand. Seeing how much of an obstacle this problem is for people every day motivated him to make a change. After receiving a master’s degree in environmental science in the UK, Agudah founded Washking with a mission to provide quality and effective sanitation facilities for all of Ghana.
“It was a big challenge to many people in Ghana,” Agudah said. “After returning from the UK, where I did my second degree in environmental biology, I started with an NGO, but funding was actually a big challenge.”
This need for funding lead to Washking’s creation.
“The idea was that when Washking was successful, we could generate revenue to support both Washking and nonprofits in the community,” Agudah said.
What makes Washking unique is its focus on installing its sanitation solutions in underdeveloped areas at a low cost. This allows the company to grow as a business while still being in the price range for its low-income customers and communities.
“My belief is that low-income people deserve equal access to dignified sanitation facilities even if they can’t afford them,” Agudah said.
Along with maintaining economic prices, Washking offers payment plans to customers, all in the name of providing quality and affordable service. The company also allows customers to turn in their waste to be repurposed in exchange for credit towards service or installation of facilities.
Since its creation, Washking has helped more than 8,000 people, installing over 1,000 facilities across Ghana. After its humble beginnings of just building toilets, it now has an efficient system to build entire facilities involving their builders along with local artisans. By employing local painters and carpenters, Washking creates jobs in the community.
Agudah emphasized his focus on not only helping these local economies but also the environment, saying that Washking works hard to be entirely eco-friendly and reduce all CO2 emissions possible. This effort towards social change hasn’t gone unnoticed, with the company earning several awards including the “Empowering People Award” in 2019.
Looking to the future Agudah says that he hopes to end inadequate sanitation in Ghana and across Africa. By the year 2030, Washking plans to reach more than 1 million people with its services, while employing more than 150 people, thus showing potential for a major impact. Agudah plans to achieve this by making his services more accessible in mobile apps that can locate and direct people to his facilities.
Currently, Agudah is enrolled in the MBC program and is utilizing its resources to further develop Washking. When asked about his experience in the MBC, he explained that he was very attracted to its flexibility and is very happy and honored to be a part of the program. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity and the hope to continue making networking connections to expand his company and promote his social cause.
Learn more about Washking at washkinggh.com
