Accra: Mr Albert Derrick Fiatui, the Executive Director of the Center for International Maritime Affairs Ghana (CIMAG), has called on the government to earnestly implement existing laws to combat plastic pollution. He emphasized the importance of this action to safeguard both the oceans and human health during a media forum organized by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Fiatui highlighted that while effective policies are in place, their execution remains a significant hurdle. He recalled that approximately three years ago, the UN Ocean Panel urged nations to develop sustainable management plans addressing issues like plastic pollution. Although Ghana is among the few countries to have formulated such a plan, its execution is yet to be observed in the industry. Mr Fiatui stressed that the solution transcends policy development; enforcement is critical for real change.
He also underscored the need for increased public awareness, particularly among school children, about the importance of maintaining plastic-free oceans. Highlighting the human reliance on ocean resources, he explained that marine mammals ingesting plastics ultimately affect humans who consume these fish.
Mr Fiatui warned of the current peril, with the ocean containing approximately 250 million tonnes of plastics, and an annual influx of eight million tonnes. He cautioned that without decisive action, plastics could surpass fish populations in the ocean sooner than the anticipated year of 2050.
Additionally, Mr Kweku Amponsah Boahene, a Board Member of Plastic Punch and panelist at the forum, acknowledged Ghana’s comprehensive national policy on plastic management but pointed out its implementation as a major challenge. He urged a multifaceted approach to tackle plastic pollution, involving individuals, manufacturers, and the government. He suggested a focus on reducing single-use plastics and encouraging waste segregation for recycling. Furthermore, he recommended that policy implementation extend to local governmental bodies to effectively reach communities.