Accra, Sept. 23, GNA – The European Union (EU) Delegation to Ghana, in partnership with government, non-governmental organisations, and volunteers will undertake a clean-up exercise at the Laboma Beach in Accra on September 25.
The event, dubbed: “#EUBeachCleanup”, is a global movement that brings together people from around the world with one common purpose of protecting the oceans and marine life.
A statement copied to the Ghana News Agency on Thursday said: « Every action counts: not only taken at the beach, but at home; not only taken next to the ocean, but also inland. »
It said marine litter and ocean pollution had an extreme impact on both human and marine life, damaging the environment and affecting economies.
The EU, the statement said, was committed to having seas and oceans environmentally, economically and socially sustainable, both in the EU and worldwide.
It quoted Ambassador Irchad Razaaly, the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Ghana, as saying: “In a year marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, the changing of our daily habits can also trigger positive change, and can as well have a positive impact on our oceans.”
“Each one of us can take part in this movement, no matter where we are. Each one of us can make a difference“.
“Cleaning up the oceans is fundamental, but it cannot be the main strategy to deal with the problem of marine litter, which needs to be tackled at its source. Improved waste and wastewater management, increased recycling, avoidance of single-use products and product eco-design, can efficiently prevent marine litter. Such behavioural and policy choices require intensive education and awareness raising.”
The statement said the EU was committed to supporting Ghana not only in awareness creation but also in finding proper, environmental and green solutions to solve the waste problem in the country.
The event is under the auspices of Plastic Punch, a non-governmental organisation.