Plastic Waste Menace In Ghana

Statistics from the Accra Metropolitan Assembly show that more than 912,0 tons of waste are generated annually in Accra. Out of this, only 410, 625 tons representing 45 per cent are collected while the 55 per cent which is mainly plastic remain in the system. Plastic waste has accounted for a major portion of the total amount of waste generated in terms of net-weight. Only two per cent of single-use plastic bottles are recycled. The rest get scattered over the streets, choke gutters and drain pipes preventing the free flow of water after a rainfall. The Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Frimpong-Boateng, believes that the increase in the generation of plastic waste globally is as a result of economic growth and changing consumption and production patterns. Recycling polyethylene is the best way to effectively deal with the menace and clear the environment of filth, but it is not profit-oriented. To this end, companies need government support to adequately recycle all plastics in the system. Efforts so far to deal with the problem are not encouraging. For example, a waste management project dabbed “IRECYCLE,” launched by Voltic in 2018 was able to collect 200kgs of plastic waste by March 3, 2019. This means that only 0.2 tons of plastic waste was collected in a period of four months. This is just scratching the tip of the iceberg.
The effects of dysfunctional urban waste management systems on the lives of Ghanaians are evident in the number of health-related cases reported at health facilities and the poor environment they live in. The World Health Organization, WHO reveals that about 28 thousand premature deaths that occur in Ghana were as a result of inhalation of polluted air. The trauma of the June 3, 2015 flood situation is still fresh in the minds of many Ghanaians. It is further estimated that by 2050, the oceans will contain more plastics than fish by weight. This is alarming and all must be concerned. For decades, conferences, seminars, workshops and other stakeholder engagements have been held with the aims of dealing with the menace of plastic waste. These consultative engagements have been convened by the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation. The intention was to advance course in behaviour change of consumers and producers towards less plastic usage and production. In 2011, Government introduced a 10 percent Environmental Excise Tax targeted at levying plastic manufacturers in Ghana. The purpose was to establish a Plastic Levy Fund Authority to harness funds to manage the plastic waste menace. Money to be generated from that tax is meant exclusively for plastic recycling. What is the status of this levy and how are proceeds being utilized.
According to the Chairman of the Plastic Waste Management Programme, Ghana  Mr. Botwe, the amount realized so far from the Environmental Excise Tax is almost one billion Ghana Cedis. This money can be used to assist private partners in the plastic waste recycle business as part of the One-District-One-Factory initiative to establish recycle plants in all regional capitals. Section 9 of the Control and Management Regulations Act 2016, LI 2250 should be enforced. The Act mandates persons who produce beverage products, to set up and manage or join a take-back system for primary and secondary packaging and recycling of waste. It also requires the EPA to decide on recycling rates in consultation with beverage manufacturers and other stakeholders. It is also essential that Ghana introduces legislations to ban the importation and use of non-biodegradable plastic products. A Comprehensive Sanitation Education should be introduced in the school curriculum to inculcate the habit of proper waste handling in kids and to shape behaviour of students at higher levels towards patriotism and love for the environment. Again, the sanitation and hygiene units of the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies should be reactivated and equipped to supervise proper disposal of refuse. Also, punitive sanction regimes should be enforced.  Proper waste management should be everyone’s concern and we must contribute to making our environment clean.
BY: HAFIZDEEN AKRAM, A FREELANCE JOURNALIST.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Need For Ghanaians To Support The 2021 Budget

  The 2021 budget focused on the need to complete all previously initiated projects, consolidate the economy and continue with new programmes for the benefit of the people. The previous practice where some of the uncompleted projects were delayed for various reasons is unacceptable and must be abandoned for the progress of the country. This is good and ought to be realized because abandoned or neglected projects constitute a drain on the resources of the country. Development programmes must be well thought through before their implementation. Their implementation must also be well planned so that they will not constitute a waste of resources in the country. If this is done at all times, the entire country will benefit from a sound and maximum use of its limited resources for Ghanaians. This must therefore guide all governments, present and future for the rapid socio-economic development of the country. It is clear that government needs more revenue to be able to finance its development
Read more

Showing compassion to the less privileged

  Poverty, it is said, is a serious disease which when it afflicts you, will not kill you easily but rather disorganises your plans and ways of living and renders you impotent. Nobody is born poor on this earth but rather, certain unforeseen circumstances give way to poverty. A touchy and heart-rendering story of an 18-year old orphan who is desirous of becoming a doctor in the future but currently facing financial challenges to support his education to realise his ambition is for some time now trending on social media. Edward Elorm Gbanaglo is said to have completed his secondary education at the Presbyterian Boys’ Senior High School (PRESEC) in Accra with seven A’s and two B’s and has gained admission into the University of Health and Allied Sciences at Ho in the Volta Region. He managed to pay his admission fees with the help of his late mother’s friends. However, Elorm, who defied all odds to make excellent grades, fears he might not be able to complete the program because he does
Read more

One Year Of Coronavirus In Ghana

  Exactly a year ago, Ghana announced the first two recorded Coronavirus cases in the country. This was after few months that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had declared the disease a public health emergency of international concern. It became the highest level of alarm under international law. The WHO published an interactive timeline showcasing how the organization has taken action on information, science, leadership, advice, response and resourcing. A year on, Ghana’s Covid-19 death toll has reached 656, with active case standing at 4,782 with 272 new cases recorded, leading to 86,737 total confirmed cases. Experts are of the opinion that the figures might have been terrible but for the pragmatic and prudent measures put in by the Government, which was hailed across the globe. Ghana is said to have been one of the world’s best countries to have managed the spread of COVID-19 very well. Indeed, the country’s leadership with respect to the control of the pandemic has been superb.
Read more