Mildred Siabi-Mensah GNA
Accra, June 06, GNA – Some selected schools within the Ahanta West Municipality of the Western Region on Tuesday marched through the streets of the Agona-Nkwanta to show their displeasure at the growing plastic waste nuisance in the municipality.
They carried placards with messages like: « Plastic takes 50 years to rot », « Protect the environment » and « Save the Ocean ».
An exhibition to showcase how plastics could be recycled for alternative uses was also held.
The march was organised by Conversation Foundation, an environmental NGO, to raise awareness about the threat to the environment and the need to act to save the situation.
It formed part of activities to mark World Environment Day under the theme: « Beat plastic pollution ».
Mr. Yaw Owusu-Sekyere, Executive Director of the Foundation, said children were critical to the effort at promoting attitudinal change with regard to plastics.
He spoke of plans to create plastic gardens in the selected schools where children could generate new ideas on how to manage plastic waste and alternative usage.
He said there was the need to rethink the approach to the waste disposal.
« We need policy direction for producers, retailers and users in general. »
The Executive Director rallied all to work together to stop the indiscriminate dumping, something he warned could have severe environmental consequences.
« We are trusting that these children would become the change advocate in their homes and communities as we raise a new generation of thinkers to solve this situation », he added.
JP/KKY/KOB
