A member of the Plastic Sector of the Association of Ghana Industries is calling for increased government support and incentives to enable businesses to expand their operations and make greater investments in recycling infrastructure.

Speaking at the JoyNews/IMANI Africa National Dialogue on Plastic Waste Management, Dr Paa Kwesi Eduaful Abaidoo said companies established through their association were already engaged in recycling activities and were prepared to support efforts to expand the industry.

He said the major concern was how to incentivise businesses to move into recycling on a larger scale and diversify their investments into recycling facilities and related enterprises.

“We have companies set up through our association which are basically engaged and focused on recycling activities. In terms of our preparedness and understanding, we are all for it,” he said on August 11.

However, Dr Abaidoo noted that the sector required adequate financial support from government to enable companies to build their capacity and invest in the infrastructure needed to sustain large-scale recycling.

“The issue is about how we can also be incentivised for our members to go into recycling full scale, so that we'll be able to re-diversify our investment into facilities and businesses that will be able to supply,” he said.

According to him, appropriate incentives would encourage more private-sector players to commit resources to recycling and help create the capacity required to meet growing demand for recycling services and facilities.

He therefore urged government to provide the necessary financial support to strengthen the capacity of businesses operating in the sector.

“We need that support from the government to ensure that our capacities in terms of the financial are built correctly,” he added.

Dr Abaidoo expressed optimism that the concerns raised would be communicated to the relevant government authorities for consideration as part of efforts to develop the recycling industry.

He said stronger collaboration between government and private-sector operators would be critical to creating a sustainable and commercially viable recycling sector in Ghana.