The Minister takes a pose with partcicipants
The Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovations (MESTI), Prof Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, has indicated that the ministry, in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), has put measures in place to control the production of non degradable plastics in the country from July 2017.
According to him, manufacturers of plastics would have to ensure that all plastic materials produced in the country meet the terms reached with manufacturers to reduce the non degradable content by 20 microns.
In the case of plastic bottles, producers will pay small tariffs per the number of bottles collectors retrieve.
Speaking at a symposium held at the Presbyterian Church of Ghana Hall at Osu, Accra to mark the 2nd World Oceans Day last Thursday, the Ag. Executive Director of the EPA, John Pwamang, who represented Prof Frimpong-Boateng, indicated that the measures were part of efforts to ensure the safety of the environment and oceans.
“We will soon pass the necessary regulations to protect our mangroves, beaches and deep sea coral reefs, as well as deal decisively with open defecation along our beaches, which will lead to restoring the traditional sense of value for our endowments and heritage,” he declared.
The World Oceans Day Celebration was introduced by the United Nations (UN) to sensitize the public on the need for sustainable management of the oceans.
In Ghana, the day was celebrated with a number of activities under the theme, ‘Our Seas, sustaining livelihoods and securing the future.’
Ag. Executive Director disclosed that the discharge of plastics into the sea from ships, platforms and land based activities has become the most insidious threat to the ocean today.
According to him, a global assessment report suggests that there are 165 million tonnes of plastics in the sea today and about 24 million tonnes are added from various sources annually.
It has been projected that by the year 2050, the oceans would contain about 940 million tonnes of plastics.
“We are in great danger of losing marine life and killing industry, at present our fishermen go to sea and a large portion of their catch is plastic materials. The time to act is now so that succeeding generations will have a livelihood to be proud of,” he remarked.
The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, averred that the ministry was committed to tackling marine pollution.
The Minister, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Krowor in the Greater Accra Region, revealed that a comprehensive fisheries management plan, strategic policy document have been developed for the management of fisheries.
By Solomon Ofori