Okyeame Kwame (R)
Renowned musician and climate advocate Okyeame Kwame in collaboration with the Wildlife and Human Resources Organisation (WHRO Ghana) will embark on a major beach clean-up exercise at Abia Community Beach in Ningo-Prampram.
The exercise which will be held on Satirday on November 8, 2025 seeks to among others protect endangered sea turtles, promote cleaner coastlines, and strengthen community resilience against marine pollution.
It also forms part of ongoing efforts to safeguard Ghana’s coastal ecosystems as well as broader commitment of Wildlife and Human Resources Organisation to conserve marine biodiversity and maintain healthy coastal environments for both humans and wildlife.
Abia Beach, the site of the upcoming cleanup, serves as both a fish landing area and an active sea turtle nesting site.
Executive Director of the Wildlife and Human Resources Organisation (WHRO Ghana), Dr. Andrews Agyekumhene in an interview said the clean-up exercise is also expected to raise awareness on the importance of protecting marine habitats particularly in areas that serve as nesting sites for sea turtles.
He said the organization hopes to inspire collective responsibility among coastal communities, strengthen partnerships with government agencies, conservation organizations, and support sustainable livelihoods through cleaner beaches for society.
WHRO Ghana and its partners have organized several similar activities to maintain sea turtle nesting sites and preserve coastal cleanliness.
Dr. Agyekumhene further mentioned that the organisation also plans to expand its efforts to other coastal communities across the country, with the long-term goal of making beach clean-up exercise a national culture.
“He said “In collaboration with District and Municipal Assemblies as well as traditional authorities, WHRO aims to integrate coastal sanitation into Ghana’s local and national development agenda.
“As part of the initiative, WHRO intends to establish plastic waste collection points in selected coastal communities, providing residents with an opportunity to sell their plastic waste instead of discarding it into the environment”.
That initiative, he explained will not only help reduce marine pollution but also create economic incentives for local communities while promoting sustainable waste management practices.
Dr. Agyekumhene who is also a senior lecturer at the Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, University of Ghana noted that Ghana’s coasts are vital national assets supporting tourism, fisheries, trade, and recreation to enhance the country’s image as well as boosts its tourism potential.
He therefore urged the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Environmental Protection Authority to intensify public education on coastal sanitation, provide logistics for clean-up exercises, enforce waste management laws, and work closely with local communities to ensure the beaches are cleaned at all times.
The clean-up exercise is also being undertaken in partnership with other organizations, including SEA Turtle, Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences at the University of Ghana, A Rocha Ghana, GMES & Africa, EPA Ghana, Pure Plastic Recycling Company, Ecozoil, and the Coastal Association of Neighbours, Prampram.
Renowned musician and climate advocate Okyeame Kwame, who also serves as Ghana’s ambassador for climate change and sea turtles, has pledged to continuosly support the campaign while working to raise awareness and mobilize action to protect marine species and maintain clean coastal environments.
The organisers appealed to corporate Institutions especially those in the plastic manufacturing and packaging sectors to provide WHRO with financial and logistical assistance as it advocates for a national policy on plastics and waste management to reduce pollution of the country’s beaches.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah