Regional News of Monday, 4 June 2012

Source: GNA

CHF International intensifies campaign against plastic waste littering

The CHF International, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) affiliated with Accra Plastic Waste Management Project, have intensified its campaign to sensitise the public on the need to separate sachet waste from other waste products.

Mr. George Amoasah, Senior Project Officer of CHF made this known at the weekend when he sensitised New Mamprobi Pentecost Church on the benefits of separating plastic waste.

He said CHF with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is implementing a three-year project called Youth Engagement in Service Delivery (YES) that seeks to create sustainable employment for the youth within the solid waste value addition chain.

Mr. Amoasah said YES project’s goal had identified four waste chains comprising compostable organic waste, thin film plastics, electronic waste and ferrous metals; through which jobs are being created for the youth in Accra.

He revealed that the project had also funded various waste value addition facilities comprising compost facilities, trashy and buyback centres in some selected communities in Accra.

“All these facilities are being managed by the youth who have been technically trained and offered business development support by CHF,” he said.

The Senior Project Officer said successes recorded in thin film plastic have influenced the decision of CHF to partner the Accra Plastic Waste Management Project to scale-up plastic separation particularly the sachet water plastics in Accra.

At the Abeka Abubakar Siddiq Mosque, the CHF Project Officer sensitised the Moslems on the benefits of sachet plastic waste collection.

He said it would contribute to getting rid of filth in Accra and generate income through the selling of these materials to the recycling companies.

Mr. Amoasah gave the assurance that additional 15,000 households would be introduced to the project.

Mr. Theophilus Tei Okunor, Assemblyman for Mukose Electoral Area in Okaikwei South District, said littering had steadily increased in the area and so the Assembly had undertaken the initiative to educate communities on the need to preserve the environment.

He said the Assembly’s efforts of maintaining environmental cleanliness would be enhanced if everyone took the responsibility not to litter around.**