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Youth in Environment Award Winner Calls for Innovative Steps Toward Environmental Protection

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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Eugene Amo-Asamoah, recipient of the Youth in Environment Award, has called for urgent and innovative efforts in environmental protection. He made this call following his recognition at the 2025 Millennium Excellence Awards held on May 9 at the Manhyia Palace.

The award, presented by His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, honored Eugene’s leadership in climate and environmental sustainability. The event was organized by the Millennium Excellence Foundation to celebrate achievements across various sectors in Ghana.

Urgent Action on Waste and Environmental Protection

Eugene highlighted that increasing waste generation is tied to population growth. He stressed the need for individuals to reduce personal waste to the barest minimum. His comments came ahead of World Environment Day, marked globally on June 5, under the theme “Putting an End to Plastic Pollution.”

He emphasized that environmental protection should involve deliberate, responsible action from everyone. “We must be accountable for the waste we produce and reduce it intentionally,” he stated.

Serving as the Business Development and Communications Manager at the Kumasi Compost and Recycling Plant (KCARP), Eugene urged Ghanaians to explore creative environmental solutions. “Let’s compost organics, reuse items, and recycle to build a sustainable future,” he added.

Plastic pollution remains one of Ghana’s biggest environmental challenges. The country produces over one million metric tons of plastic waste annually, with only 2 to 5% managed properly.

Protecting the Future

According to Eugene, research predicts plastic in water bodies may triple the number of fish by 2050. “If we can’t protect the environment, let’s at least stop destroying it,” he urged.

Eugene Amo-Asamoah - Environmental Sustainability

His comments reinforce the broader call for environmental protection, especially as the country grapples with pollution and climate threats.

Throughout his career, Eugene has contributed to waste recycling and management in both local and international contexts. His work includes developing sustainable waste plans for institutions and offering technical support to public and private sector organizations.

Eugene Amo-Asamoah - Environmental Sustainability

He continues to advocate for practical and impactful environmental protection measures, positioning Ghana as a leader in sustainable waste management.

Gov’t to use recycled plastics for student furniture

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the government will soon begin manufacturing student furniture for schools in the country using recycled plastics.

In addition to plastics, metals will also be incorporated into the production process.

This initiative aims to eliminate the use of wood in school furniture manufacturing as part of a broader effort to protect Ghana’s environment by reducing tree cutting.

During the World Environment Day celebrations in Kwabenya, Accra, the President explained that this move seeks to preserve the country’s trees and promote the use of sustainable materials, such as recycled plastic and metal.

“We cannot simultaneously plant trees and cut them down,” President Mahama stated. “To reduce tree cutting, I intend to issue a directive to prohibit the use of wood for school furniture. We will soon pass this directive, ensuring that school furniture is no longer made of wood, allowing us to stop the destruction of our forests. We will instead utilise recycled plastic or metal for furniture.”

Government to ban Styrofoam food packaging

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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President John Mahama has announced that the government will soon introduce a directive to stop the importation and production of Styrofoam to protect Ghana’s environment.

Speaking during World Environment Day celebrations at Kwabenya in Accra, the President revealed plans to ban the use of styrofoam, which is commonly used for takeaway food packaging, due to its harmful effects on the environment.

“One of the most pernicious polluters is Styrofoam plastic,” he stated. “When you buy your food and it is placed in that white plastic container, and then you finish eating and simply throw it away, that contributes significantly to pollution. Therefore, we’re going to ban the importation of Styrofoam plastics. We must transition to using paper packaging or aluminium foil for food packaging.”

He emphasised that manufacturers and importers of Styrofoam products should begin preparing for this change.

“With the Ministry of Environment, we will soon implement a ban on the importation and production of Styrofoam in Ghana. Our food packaging will be made from paper and aluminium materials,” he confirmed.

World Environment Day 2025:Ghana Ramps Up Action Against Single-Use Plastics with National Pact

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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Ghana’s fight against single-use plastics has gained significant traction through a strong public-private partnership.

At the forefront of this momentum is the Voluntary Pact to Reduce Single-Use Plastics, a business-led initiative co-designed by local environmental NGO Plastic Punch. The initiative was created in partnership with Ghanaian businesses and with support from the German Development Cooperation under the global Go Circular program.

Backed by the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), the Pact seeks to halve the use of single-use plastics across Ghana by 2030.

It unites supermarkets, banks, retail outlets, and local markets, all committed to environmental sustainability through reduced plastic consumption.

Public Engagement and Consumer Behavior at the Center

Inspired by best practices in Germany, Kenya, and Rwanda, the Pact emphasizes home-grown solutions and behavior change. A flagship campaign under the initiative, Bag the Habit of Single-Use Plastic, encourages Ghanaians to refuse, reduce, and reuse plastic bags in their daily lives.

The campaign supports ongoing advocacy and regulations while highlighting that change begins with simple choices by individuals. Key stakeholders including the EPA, Plastic Punch, the Food and Beverage Association of Ghana (FABAG), and SNEDA Supermarket marked the 2025 World Environment Day with a renewed call for policy reform and civic action.

“Single-use plastics pose a real threat to our environment,” said Hobson Agyapong, Principal Programme Officer at EPA. “The collaborative spirit of the Voluntary Pact connects regulators, civil society, and businesses in finding real solutions.”

To encourage behavioral change, a 50-pesewa charge on plastic bags is being piloted. The aim is to motivate consumers to adopt reusable alternatives.

Supermarkets, SMEs Lead the Transition

Retailers participating in the Pact—including SNEDA, All Needs Supermarket (Legon), and Neha Supermarket—are actively rolling out the Bag the Habit campaign. These efforts highlight supermarkets as a focal point of plastic bag consumption and as critical players in the transition away from single-use plastics.

The country’s food and catering industry, another significant contributor to plastic waste, is also under focus. The Go Circular Project has completed a Business Development Programme in collaboration with Impact Footprints Africa, targeting small and medium-sized enterprises in this sector.

Participating SMEs are now promoting sustainable alternatives. These include using leaves to wrap traditional meals like waakye and replacing plastic packaging with paper bags, reusable jars, and crates.From Accra’s supermarkets to neighborhood food vendors, the shift is gaining momentum. The Voluntary Pact represents a growing national movement, underscoring the shared responsibility for reducing single-use plastics and building a more circular, sustainable Ghana.

Source: Go Circular/GIZ 

KCARP welcomes representatives from CH4 Climate Coalition and IMT Eurasia

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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The Kumasi Compost and Recycling Plant (KCARP) has hosted representatives from the CH4 Climate Coalition, IMT Eurasia, and CWI Group to discuss green solutions and explore potential partnerships for a sustainable future.

As Africa’s largest compost and recycling plant, KCARP is dedicated to promoting a sustainable environment and partnering with organisations worldwide to safeguard the planet.

On Tuesday, June 3, 2025, Adrian Caduff of the CH4 Climate Coalition and Yu Ming Chai from IMT Eurasia and CWI Group Limited engaged in important discussions at KCARP.

The CH4 Climate Coalition focuses on implementing projects to reduce methane emissions and provide circular climate solutions for a sustainable future.

During an extensive meeting, Eugene Amo-Asamoah, the Business Development and Communications Manager at KCARP, commended the visitors for their engagement and expressed KCARP’s eagerness to collaborate in fostering a greener future.

He noted that the discussions aimed at creating value from landfills and dumpsites while minimising the harmful effects associated with such sites.

“Our discussions focused on creating value from landfills and reducing the negative impacts that most landfills and dumpsites have on the environment,” he stated.

Representatives from the visiting organisations expressed their gratitude to KCARP for the opportunity to explore this possible collaboration to promote green environmental solutions in the Ashanti Region and Ghana at large.

Led by Eugene Amo-Asamoah, the visitors toured KCARP’s strategic and modern waste recycling plant, gaining insight into the company’s excellent efforts to combat waste pollution.

The group was excited to see the advanced technologies being implemented by KCARP.

Plastic Ban: EPA Prepares to Phase Out Plastics in Ghana

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is preparing to implement a plastic ban as part of a broader waste management strategy aimed at protecting the environment in Ghana.

Officials plan to introduce a comprehensive recycling and waste segregation program to reduce non-degradable waste, particularly plastics. This initiative seeks to promote recycling and ultimately stop the production of plastic items across the country.

EPA Chief Executive Officer, Professor Nana Ama Klutse, made the announcement during separate engagements at Wovenu and Dzodze Penyi Senior High Schools in the Ketu North Municipality of the Volta Region.

She revealed that a series of activities focused on plastics would begin after June 5, which marks World Environmental Day.

“We want to reduce plastic waste in the country because it harms the environment,” she stated.

Plastic Ban: Phasing Out Plastic and Creating Jobs

Professor Klutse explained that the initial step would be to introduce a waste segregation policy. This policy aims to educate citizens about separating different types of waste for easier disposal and recycling.

She noted that the plastic ban would be enforced in phases to allow a smooth transition for the public and manufacturers. The EPA hopes to phase out plastics gradually, reducing environmental pollution and public health risks.

The waste segregation policy also promises job creation. Youth will be encouraged to collect plastic waste and sell it to recycling factories. This will generate income while expanding employment opportunities at those facilities.

“We want to minimize plastic waste as much as possible,” she added. “Our goal is to slowly phase out plastics in Ghana.”

Member of Parliament for Ketu North, Edem Agbana, pledged his support for the initiative. He committed to placing plastic collection bins at strategic locations in the municipality.

The collected waste will be sent to a recycling company in Accra. The firm will reuse the plastics to manufacture school desks, roofing sheets, and other useful products.

The EPA believes this approach will reinforce environmental responsibility and lay the groundwork for the nationwide plastic ban.

W/R: CEO, Staff of Focus 1 Group pay courtesy call on EKMA MCE

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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Chief Executive Officer of the Focus 1 Group, Kwame Adu-Mante and staff have called on the newly confirmed Chief Executive (MCE) of the Effia-Kwesimintsim Municipal Assembly (EKMA), Abdul-Majeed Iddrisu Nassam, to officially congratulate him on his appointment.

As part of the visit, Mr. Adu-Mante voluntarily paid his property rate totalling GH₵36,000 to the assembly, covering his residential properties and office complex within the municipality.

Mr. Adu-Mante emphasized the importance of fulfilling property tax obligations as a vital contribution to local development.

“EKMA has over 5,000 houses and buildings. If all the owners pay their property rates religiously, EKMA will have enough Internally Generated Funds (IGF) to do a lot of things for all of us in the assembly,” Mr. Adu-Mante noted.

He also pledged the continuous support of Focus 1 Media in helping the municipality disseminate important messages and developmental information.

“On behalf of myself and Focus 1 Group, we want to officially congratulate you on your appointment and confirmation as MCE. Our doors are always open to you—if you need us to publicise or disseminate any message or communique,” he added.

Receiving the payment, MCE Abdul-Majeed Iddrisu Nassam expressed deep appreciation to Mr. Adu-Mante for the gesture and stressed the impact such voluntary compliance could have on the development of the municipality.

“We are so grateful as an assembly to have you willingly come to pay your property rate. The assembly can drive a lot of development if we have property owners pay. We will put in measures to ensure that is done,” the MCE stated.

The MCE further commended Mr. Adu-Mante for his consistent support to the municipality, citing his contributions to health infrastructure in the area.

“We are also aware of what you have been doing in the municipality. Just yesterday, I was informed of the medical laboratory construction at Whindo and what the health committee, of which you’re a part, has done. We thank you so much for supporting the assembly at every opportunity,” he said.

He concluded by reiterating EKMA’s commitment to fostering partnerships and collaborations that will enhance the development of the municipality.

“Our doors are always open for partnership and collaboration to drive the development of EKMA for the betterment of its people,” the MCE assured.

Mr. Adu-Mante’s move is expected to inspire other property owners within EKMA and beyond to honour their property rate obligations and strengthen the assembly’s revenue base for accelerated development.

A/R: Labour Department commences awareness campaign on job opportunities

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
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The Labour Department in Ghana has initiated a flagship program called “Just One Bold Step” aimed at enhancing employment opportunities for job seekers across the country.

This initiative will also provide a platform for employers to advertise job vacancies, making it easier for them to find suitable candidates.

The program began in Konongo, located in the Ashanti Region, on April 30, 2025, and is set to continue in other towns, including Obuasi, Mampong, and Bekwai, on Sunday, August 31, 2025.

The goal of this campaign is to change the narrative and facilitate easier access to jobs for graduates and other job seekers in the Ashanti Region and throughout Ghana.

During the launch of the initiative a few months ago, the Acting Chief Officer of the Labour Department, Dawudu Ibrahim Braimah, stated that the platform will effectively bridge the gap between job seekers and employers in the country.

The Public Relations Officer for Labour, Jobs, and Empowerment, Rev. Miss Charlotte Hanson, noted that data collection is one of the challenges facing the country’s employment sector.

She observed that this initiative will help gather data that can inform government decision-making.

The Technical Adviser at GIZ Ghana, Dr. Lillian Amankwah Forbi, indicated that they have supported the Labour Department, including vehicles and office spaces, to improve their working environment and enhance employment opportunities in Ghana.

Government supports plastic recycling companies with $7 million in grants

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
-

The government is set to provide $7 million in grants to eight plastic recycling companies across the country to support their growth.

The Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology has stated that these companies, including Universal Plastic Products and Recycling Ghana (UPPR) Limited, part of the Jospong Group of Companies, will utilise the funds to enhance their capacity for collecting, recycling, and reusing plastic waste.

As part of the initiative to assess readiness for the funding, Sector Minister Murtala Mohammed recently toured several recycling companies in Accra, stating the importance of increasing support for businesses within the circular economy.

“We look forward to expanding this grant assistance to more entities that have the expertise to manage plastic waste. If we are only able to recycle 10%, what happens to the remaining 90%? They contribute to the environmental degradation and hazards we face,” he remarked.

Minister Mohammed also mentioned that a decision regarding the funding will be made after visiting various facilities.

He urged the beneficiary companies to create job opportunities once they receive the funding.

On Monday, March 3, 2025, the Minister visited four plastic waste recycling facilities, including UPPR, Integrated Recycling and Compost Plant Limited (IRECOP), Green Africa Youth Organisation (GAYO) Maternal Recovery Facility, and Nelplast Ghana Limited.

Gov’t should provide conducive environment for plastic recycling companies – Recycle Up Ghana

By
Adwoa Afranewaa
-

The Executive Director of Recycle Up Ghana, Abdul-Rahim Shaibu Issah, has called on the government to create a favourable business environment for plastic recycling companies in Ghana.

He believes that rather than the government directly establishing plastic waste processing facilities, it should foster an environment that supports the activities of recycling firms.

“I don’t believe that the government should set up recycling factories. Instead, it can create a conducive environment to encourage recycling and waste management companies in the country,” he stated.

Both past and current governments have taken some steps, including financial allocations, to address the country’s waste challenge.

Speaking with Plastic Journalist, Fatawu Bayaga as part of a plastic recycling documentary titled “Beyond The Bin”, Mr. Issah acknowledges that, while these efforts are commendable, more action is needed.

He urged the government to facilitate easier access to permits and suitable land through community engagement and other processes to support these companies’ operations.

Abdul Rahim stated that, they’re planning to establish a plastic recycling industry but the money involved is very huge, as they need not less than 500,000 dollars to complete the entire plant.

“We’re setting up a facility to recycle plastics and it’s not been easy because it’s heavily capital intensive, and I’m not talking about 100,000 dollars or 200,000 dollars. We’re looking at in excess of over 500,000 dollars to set up a complete recycling system,” he explained.

He added that accessing this kind of capital is difficult.

However, he believes the government can work with bilateral and multilateral partners to facilitate financing opportunities for local companies.

Abdul-Rahim Shaibu Issah further appealed to the government to subsidise import duties at the ports for recyclers, as he has recently paid a huge amount in taxes to clear goods.

“If I told you how much I paid in taxes just to clear some goods, you would be surprised, because I looked at the money and said this can pay about 10 employees for two years,” he indicated.

While Mr. Issah believes an outright ban on plastic importation seems unlikely for now, he suggests that the government consider a gradual phase-out of problematic materials, such as plastic bags.

Countries in Africa, like Uganda, introduced legislation in 2007 to ban the sale of lightweight plastic bags under 30mm thick and penalise the sale of thicker bags at a punitive rate of 120%.

Although the laws were implemented in September of that year, they have not been enforced and have not significantly reduced the use of plastic bags.

Mr. Issah believes that a proactive government, or a bold Ministry of Environment, could gradually phase out plastic bags over the coming years to drastically reduce this environmental menace in Ghana.

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