JoyNews, in partnership with the IMANI Centre for Policy and Education, will host a National Dialogue on Plastic Waste Management on Thursday, August 6, to explore strategies for addressing Ghana’s growing plastic pollution challenge.
The high-level forum, themed “Unpacking the Sustainability of the Extended Producer Responsibility in Ghana,” will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, environmental experts, researchers and civil society organisations to examine the future of plastic waste management in the country.
The dialogue comes amid increasing concerns over plastic pollution, which continues to block drainage systems, contaminate rivers and communities, contribute to flooding and pose serious environmental and public health risks.
The problem is particularly evident after heavy rainfall, when discarded plastic sachets, bottles and other packaging materials accumulate on streets and in waterways across the country.
A key focus of the discussions will be Ghana’s proposed Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, which seeks to make producers responsible for the collection, recycling and environmentally sound disposal of plastic waste generated from their products.
Participants will assess whether Ghana has the legal, institutional and infrastructural capacity required to effectively implement the policy and ensure its long-term sustainability.
The dialogue will also build on consultations conducted by the IMANI Centre for Policy and Education with stakeholders from industry, academia and government on the draft Extended Producer Responsibility Bill, providing an opportunity to incorporate diverse perspectives before the proposed legislation is submitted to Parliament.
According to the organisers, the forum is intended to move beyond identifying the country’s plastic waste challenges and instead promote practical, collaborative solutions that enhance environmental protection, encourage corporate accountability and support sustainable economic development.
Source: joynews
