The Green Diversity Foundation (GDF Africa) has marked the International Day of Zero Waste with a call on young people to play active role in reducing the impact of waste to promote sustainable development.
Mr Hobson Agyapong, Executive Director of GDF Africa, said young people constituted the future of the planet, making it critical for them to be involved in solving the world’s environmental challenges.
He made the call when GDF Africa celebrated the Day at the Lakeside Horticulture Village, Lakeside Estate Ltd, in the Adentan Municipality, on the theme: “Partnership for Sustainable Production and Consumption”.
Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 14, 2022, the International Day of Zero Waste is observed annually on March 30 by nations across the globe.
The occasion brought together stakeholders from government institutions, civil society organisations, academia and the private sector to assess human actions impacting the climate, come up with innovative solutions, and to form partnerships to tackle the impact of climate change.
Mr Agyapong noted that waste had become a serious menace, with the United Nations reporting that every one minute, a truckload of plastic is dumped into the ocean.
Mr John A. Pwamang, Board Chairman of GDF Africa, noted that every year, Ghana generated 840,000 tonnes of plastic waste, with only 9.5 per cent being collected for recycling.
Mr Joy Hesse Ankomah, Deputy Director, Built Environment Department, Environmental Protection Agency, noted that to reduce waste, the country must have a “good strategic roadmap for implementation and enforceable legislations to reduce waste, the country must have a “good strategic roadmap for implementation and enforceable legislations”.
Mr Abdulrahim Shaibu-Issah, Executive Director, Recycle Up Ghana, encouraged Ghanaians to take up the responsibility for ensuring zero waste by taking initiatives to avoid single-use plastics.
Lady Vera Wiredu, Executive Director, Volunteers for Victory Network, called for the passing of legislations to cut down single-use plastics and to promote reusable materials among Ghanaians.
Ms Jessica Kpendo, Miss Tourism Ghana, Second Princess, encouraged Ghanaians to make conscious effort to get their own sustainable water bottles for water and bowls to buy food in order to cut down plastics.
The event was organised in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, Environmental Protection Agency, Association of Ghana Industries, the Climate Tribe- United Arab Emirates, and Energy Free.
Source: myghanadaily
