Wife of the Vice President Samira Bawumia has tasked institutions mandated to keep the environment clean to ensure plastic waste are properly disposed of.

Speaking at the event by Ecobank Ghana to mark World Environment Day, Mrs Bawumia said the Ministry of Science and Technology is developing a National Plastic Waste Policy aimed at finding innovative ways to use plastic waste for development.

Research has revealed, close to seven billion trees are cut down every year across the world. Not half of this is planted within the same period, resulting in climate change and its other adverse effects. 

Managing Director of Ecobank Anglophone West Africa, Daniel Sackey says if this trend is not reversed, Ghana, which has also not cultivated the act of tree planting, would be adversely affected.

That’s why his Company has selected some schools to partner them begin a tree planting across the country. He believes this would address the seeming desertification being experienced in some part of the country.

“We are planting trees because we believe that when we plant trees, it will keep the environment healthy. We also want to inculcate in the young and upcoming ones, the need to be disciplined,” he said. 

COO of Multimedia Group, Ken Ansah, watering a plant

Mayor of Accra Mohammed Adjei Sowah revealed his office has closed 90 percent illegal rubbish dumping sites since he assumed office.

He added, as part of keeping Ghana clean, a green project has been initiated to keep the landscape of Accra green.

That’s not all….he had a bait for persons and institutions planning to build in the capital – if their architectural design is energy efficient, the Assembly would reduce the processing fees as well as fast-track the process.

“We have decided to ensure that all people that come to us for buildings permit, if we realise their building is energy efficient compliant, we will reduce the fees and fast-track the process for them.

“This is to ensure we have more of such buildings in the city…we are not just planting trees but doing proper landscaping to beautify the city," he said.

Ecobank CEO aided by the Samira Bawumia to plant a tree

Aside tasking institutions to work at recycling plastic waste for value, wife of Vice President Samira Bawumia said her unless these innovative ways of managing plastic waste, the country will continue to be engulfed in filth.

"The current state of the environment leave s a lot to be desired, the Technology Ministry is currently developing a national plastic management policy," she said.

She added the policy will provide a framework to develop plastic waste into a resource for value addition. 

The theme for Ecobank’s project is ‘Planting today, Protecting tomorrow’. It was one of three events held in Ghana – Ashanti and Northern Regions.

Similar events were also held by Ecobank in 33 other countries around the world simultaneously. In Ghana, it was in collaboration with Zoomlion, AMA, Forestry Commission and Multimedia Group.

Samira Bawumia led the officials to plant ceremonial trees at the St. Thomas Aquinas School to commence the project.