By Juliet Aguiar DUGBARTEY
The Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal Assembly (TNMA) has received10 skip refuse containers from Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GFGF) to support the fight against plastic pollution.
The refuse containers – valued at GH¢230,000 – coincided with this year’s World Environment Day celebration in the area, which was on the theme ‘Ending Plastic Pollution’.
The skips are aimed at bolstering the municipality’s waste management capacity and promoting environmental sustainability
Kwame Apau, Mine Manager-Gold Fields Tarkwa, described plastic pollution as an “existential crisis and a moral imperative” requiring urgent, collective action.
Cting alarming statistics from the United Nations Environment Programme and World Economic Forum, he warned that if current trends continue, plastics could outweigh fish in the oceans by 2050.
He outlined Gold Fields Tarkwa’s initiatives to reduce plastic waste, including: a policy targetting single-use plastics; partnerships with local recyclers; colour-coded waste segregation across operations; and a long-term zero-plastic-to-landfill goal as well as plans to extend recycling programmes to surrounding communities.
“This is not just a company initiative, it is a shared responsibility. Every citizen has a role to play,” he stressed.
Ebenezer Cobbinah, Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal Chief Executive who received the containers for the assembly, was grateful to the Foundation and echoed its call for sustainable practices.
“The impact of plastic waste on health, agriculture and ecosystems is devastating. We must act collectively,” he said.
He revealed that the assembly has instituted monthly clean-up exercises and called on residents, drivers and media to join the campaign against pollution.
Alex Damptey, Environmental Officer-Tarkwa Nsuaem Assembly, reiterated that ending plastic waste pollution requires collective action.
“Through sharing knowledge and working collaboratively, we can make significant progress” he added.
