Speaker of the Ghanaian Parliament, Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has raised alarm over poor administration of plastic waste, stating that it has turn into one of the urgent world environmental issues, notably among the many Financial Neighborhood of West African States (ECOWAS).
Bagbin spoke Tuesday on the delocalized assembly of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Surroundings and Pure Sources/Power, Mining/Infrastructure of the Parliament of the Financial Neighborhood of West African States (ECOWAS) holding in Winneba, Ghana.
With the theme, ‘Plastic Waste Administration: Challenges and Prospects in Implementing Neighborhood Coverage’, he pressured the pressing want to handle the menace of plastic waste, noting that the Sub-region noting that the event was fueled in latest instances by speedy urbanisation and inhabitants progress coupled with elevated consumption patterns and packaging.
The speaker knowledgeable that in 2020, plastic consumption throughout West African coastal nations was estimated at 7.9 million tons and projected to rise to 12 million tons by 2026.
He decried that solely 20 per cent of plastic waste was recycled or well-managed, leaving 80 per cent unaccounted for. This, he warned, was a ticking time bomb, which have to be addressed instantly to avert imminent catastrophe.
He additional recognized a number of challenges that had hindered efficient plastic waste administration to incorporate restricted infrastructure, poor public consciousness, weak coverage implementation and financial constraints.
He consequently admonished on the necessity for collective motion, saying, “We should share data, experiences and greatest practices to beat these challenges and champion the adoption of frequent regional requirements.”
Bagbin additionally pressured the significance of collaboration, public-private partnerships and neighborhood engagement in addressing the plastic waste menace.
Whereas declaring the four-day assembly open, he inspired contributors to undertake a problem-solving method guided by the three pillars of sustainable growth: financial viability, environmental friendliness and social acceptability.
The assembly, which introduced collectively members of the Committee on Agriculture, Surroundings and Pure Sources, the Committee on Mines and Power and the Committee on Infrastructure, goals to search out options to the rising drawback of plastic waste in West Africa.
It’s anticipated to provide a complete plan, together with methods for lowering plastic waste technology, enhancing waste administration infrastructure, and selling sustainable practices.
