Mr. Richard Adjei-Poku, the Executive Director of Livelihood and Environment Ghana (LEG), has stated that Africa alone generates 17 million tons of plastic waste annually, which costs the continent nearly 561 billion dollars.
He also said Ghana generates close to 1.1 billion tons of plastic waste every year but only 9% of the waste is recycled while 41% is collected.
Ghana, he said, spends 1.1 billion for clean up whilst Africa spends between $170billion and $561 billion.
50% of the waste, according to him, remains uncollected, adding that cleaning up plastic waste could cost the country $6 billion annually.
Mr. Adjei-Poku was speaking on the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation’s (GBC) regional FM radio station in Sunyani, Radio B.A.R.
The discussion formed part of LEG’s broader goal of ensuring environmental sustainability and awareness creation activities.
The Executive Director further stated that apart from the economic impacts of plastic pollution, the environmental and health impacts are catastrophic.
Plastic waste, he emphasized, pollutes water bodies, causes biodiversity loss and increases greenhouse gases.
He said chemicals like Bisphenol A, Dioxin and retardant use in the production of plastics contain high toxic and can cause cancer, reproductive and development problems, damage immune system and metabolic disorder like diabetes, obesity and infertility.
Livelihood & Environment Ghana is a research and advocacy not-for-profit and non-governmental organization established in July, 2004.
Its establishment was in response to the growing social, environmental and human rights threats from the operations of Newmont Ahafo gold mine. Over the last 20 years, LEG has been working to promote sustainable livelihoods, campaign for environmental sustainability and promote community rights.
From a humble beginning at Kenyasi Number Two in the Asutifi North District of the Ahafo Region, the organisation now operates in seven mining regions namely Ahafo, Bono, Western North, Western, Ashanti, Eastern and Central Regions.
Plans are underway to further expand to several other communities in future.
Credit: www.rbnewshub.com
