Mildred Siabi-Mensah GNA
Accra, June 6, GNA – Some selected schools within the Ahanta West Municipality of the Western Region on Tuesday Marched through the streets of the locality with placards to show their displeasure on the indiscriminate dumping of plastic waste in the municipality.
Some of the placards read: « 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 street walk, which was organised by Conversation Foundation, an environmental NGO, was to raise awareness about the menace of plastic waste and the need to curb its pollution or stopping its usage entirely, formed part of activities to mark World Environment Day under the theme: « Beat Plastic Pollution ».
Mr Yaw Owusu-Sekyere, Executive Director of the Conversation Foundation said children were cardinal in promoting attitudinal change with regards to plastic waste and so the reason for using them to celebrate the day.
According to him, plans were already in place to create plastic gardens in the selected schools where these children can generate new ideas on how to manage plastic waste and alternative usage.
Mr Owusu-Sekyere said there was the need to rethink the approach of plastic disposal, « We need policy direction for producers, retailers and users in general ».
The Executive Director noted that plastic waste could have different uses and called on stakeholders to help stop the indiscriminate dumping or disposal of plastic with its severe environmental consequences.
« We are trusting that these children would become the change advocate in their homes and communicate as we raise a new generation of thinkers to solve this situation », he added.
JP/KKY
