It is estimated that about 32 percent of plastic packaging are not collected as some end up into oceans and waterways.
Global use of plastics has increased 20 fold over the past 50 years and expected to double again in the next 20 years according to the Ellen Mac Arthur Foundation report . The report projects the oceans will contain at least 937 million tons of plastic by 2050.
As part of its contribution to the global fight of environmental challenge , water and sanitation, the Tweneboa, Enyera , Ntomme (TEN) partners , notably , Tullow , Kosmos , Anadarko oil companies and the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) through their social impact and investment programme seek to improve the health and wellbeing of the 6 coastal Communities in the Western Region, including Nzema East, Ellembelle, Jomoro, Shama, Ahanta West and Sekondi Takoradi.
The TEN partners through the Community Led Environment and Beach Improvement and School Sanitation Project (CLEBISS) have distributed cleanup implements like wheelbarrows, and hand washing containers to 130 volunteers in Sekondi .
The environmental health officer of Sekondi-Takoradi metropolitan assembly, Abdul Karimu Hudu commended the TEN partners for the gesture.
He noted that communities like Nkontompo, Ngyerisia , Sekondi, have their beaches filled with refuse polluting the beaches and sea because the communities lacked clean up equipment. He said this unhealthy sight is a disincentive for tourism and the CLEBISS project will compliment the low human resource strength of the Environmental Health Unit.
On his part, the Project Manager of Opportunities Industrialisation Centres International (OICI) , George Dorgbetor said various communities like Ngyerisia, New Takoradi, Half Assini and all others along the 27 project communities are in dire need of clean up implements.
He said most communities have the enthusiasm for cleaner environment but lacked clean up implements hence the presentation by the TEN partners. He said due to the low revenue capacity of various assemblies, they are unable to meet the drive from the community for clean up implements and urging the need for that to be complimented.
He added that in the engagement as part of the project it has been realised that there is need for house holds to own their own toilets to stop open defecation. He said a facility management plan has been drawn to ensure the project is effectively monitored for progress.
“…the sanitation clean up exercise by the metropolitan assembly which falls on the 3rd Saturday of every month, my community is unable to fully participate as there are no enough implements, and even if there are , they are weak due to over use and you always have to go for it at the sub metro at your expense….” he added.
The Social Performance Advisor of Tullow Ghana , Korkor Ohene Gyan commended the volunteers for their enthusiasm and said the next phase of the project will, involve an oil spill training in the form of simulation exercises.
So far the CLEBISS project implemented by OIC International has so far built the capacity of 130 community volunteers, 28 chief fishermen and 29 assembly members in 27 project communities.
