Head of Ghana’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin has emphasized the cross-border nature of the plastic waste menace and called for a lasting solution to the growing problem
According to him, the entire West African sub-region has been affected by plastic waste with no nation spared.
The Majority leader in Ghana’s Parliament made the call in his opening speech on Monday, July 29, 2024, at a crucial delocalized meeting of the ECOWAS Joint Committee on Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, Energy and Mines, and Infrastructure at Winneba in the Central Region.
The meeting aims to address the pressing issue of plastic waste, which affects urban societies across the West African region.
He said, “From Dakar to Lagos, via Niamey, Accra, and Abidjan, every city is affected by plastic waste. The situation is the same in Ghana.”
“On a national level, we could have asked ourselves how to solve this problem. However, a community solution must be envisaged given its cross-border nature.”
Afenyo-Markin called for unity among the ECOWAS member states in addressing the issue: “Yes, all of us here today are brothers and sisters from the same father and mother, which is called ECOWAS. No matter our origin we are all brothers and sisters.”
He expressed optimism about developing effective strategies to combat the pervasive challenge.
He explained that proposing holistic solutions to limit the consequences of challenges associated with plastic waste is colossal, but exhilarating because it involves service to the population and thinking about their well-being.
The Majority leader expressed heartfelt gratitude to the members of the 6th Legislature for their commitment to regional community programs.
He also thanked President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his enthusiastic support in hosting the event.
He praised the leadership of Her Excellency Hadja Memounatou Ibrahima, Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, for her role in making the meeting possible.
“Madam President, Merci, obrigado, thank you for making it possible to hold the first delocalized meeting of the 6th Legislature here in Winneba, Ghana,” he acknowledged.
Afenyo-Markin reiterated his appreciation to all participants and the people of Ghana.
“I would like to close by reiterating to you the infinite gratitude of the Ghanaian people, the President of the Republic, the colleagues on the delegation, and the entire population of Winneba, our most profound appreciation,” he stated.
