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Government must ban polythene- Researcher

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The management of plastics in Ghana has remained a source of worry for many ministries as the issue stems from attitudinal changes by citizens themselves. It is in view of this ever increasing challenge to plastic management and invariably manage the sanitation sector that the Director of the Disease Control Department of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Kyei Fareed s calling for a total ban on plastics. He warned that if Ghana is serious about controlling the current sanitation situation, a ban is very important. He says the time is now for the nation to act and introduce a policy that will streamline the use and disposal of polythene. “From my own analysis of the situation, it reveals to me one sustainable way to get control of the situation is that, there could be a legislation banning the production of polythene bags outright, as done in some countries’’ he said. Dr. Kyei was concerned that not enough action has been taken at the local level, in the various communities to influence attitudinal change. Leadership and government have a role to play but the biggest players are the ordinary people who need to change their attitude towards disposal of polythene-made items. People defecate into these bags while others buy and eat all sorts of food in plastics. The result is that the terrible situation we see around. Plastics everywhere” he said. He disclosed that polythene waste accounts for about 80% of refuse produced nationwide, blocking drains and causing flooding. Such ponds plastics have become the breeding grounds for many parasite and germs causing diseases like cholera, typhoid, hepatitis and polio. “If government does not put more effort into helping people to change their attitude, more money will be invested into sanitation could have been used in other sectors like infrastructure, education, and health,” he warned.

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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.