Environmental advocacy group, Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO) has issued a compelling call for action, raising alarm about the dire consequences of plastic incineration.
GAYO has unveiled a campaign aimed at shedding light on the severe repercussions of incinerating plastic waste and promoting sustainable alternatives to combat the escalating threat of plastic pollution.
At a media engagement titled ‘Anti-incineration and Plastic Pollution Campaign,’ held on Friday, August 11th, 2023, Jacob Johnson Attakpah, the Project Coordinator for GAYO, passionately conveyed the urgency of the situation.
“Our mission is to bring awareness to the devastating effects of plastic incineration on our environment, human health, and marine ecosystems,” Attakpah remarked.
The heart of the campaign lies in dispelling the misconception that incinerating plastic waste leads to its complete disappearance. Attakpah emphasized the scientific fact that matter cannot be annihilated but rather transformed from one form to another.
Incinerating plastic waste releases harmful toxins and pollutants into the air, escalating air pollution and contributing to the global climate crisis.
With plastic waste becoming an alarming crisis across numerous African nations due to inadequate waste management practices, GAYO and other groups of dedicated environmentalists are leading the charge in educating the public about the concealed perils of plastic waste incineration.
“We are witnessing a grave environmental crisis in many African countries due to improper waste management. This has contributed to environmental degradation, public health risks, and even natural disasters,” Attakpah warned.
The accumulation of plastic waste within drains exacerbates flooding during heavy rainfall, thereby compounding ecological degradation. Through heightened awareness, the campaign seeks to empower people to make mindful choices, favouring reusable products and environmentally-friendly packaging.
Joseph Attakpah further emphasized the pivotal role of media outlets in amplifying the campaign’s vital message.
“The media holds significant power in shaping public opinion and fostering awareness. We urge media outlets to join us in this cause by disseminating informative articles, documentaries, and public service announcements that educate the public about the far-reaching repercussions of plastic pollution,” Attakpah stated.
The project lead for the campaign, Mabel Laryea, emphasized the need for journalists to personally get involved in the campaign and use their knowledge and experience to spur it on.
The involvement of journalists in the campaign, she said, would have a far-reaching impact in view of their diverse experiences.
The campaign’s primary objective, she said, is to inspire individuals to adopt sustainable habits and reassess their reliance on single-use plastics and the adverse impact of plastic pollution on local ecosystems, including drainage systems and water bodies.
During a panel discussion, panellists highlighted the nation’s need to have a plastic policy that will ensure the segregation of plastic from the household level to the final destination.
Speaking on the matter, the President of the Borla Taxi & Tricycle Association (BTTA), Lydia Bamfo, called for investment in the sector.
According to her, to make significant headway there is a need to have a manufacturer of pep bottles in Ghana that converts these plastic waste into other reusable products.
Deputy Engineer of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) Wilfred Quartey), on the other hand, stressed the need to educate the Ghanaian populace on the dangers of single-use plastics and incineration.
According to him, Ghana cannot afford not to invest heavily in plastic management and warned there is no example in Africa where incineration has been successful.