At a media forum hosted by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), CIMAG Executive Director Albert Derrick Fiatui highlighted that Ghana’s challenge lies in weak enforcement rather than policy absence.
“We have very fantastic policies in place; the challenge is the implementation,” Fiatui said. He warned that without strict enforcement, efforts to tackle plastic pollution will remain ineffective.
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He noted that the UN Ocean Panel recommended three years ago that nations develop sustainable management plans to address marine plastic waste. “Ghana has done that, but we are not seeing real implementation. The solution now goes beyond policies; if we do not enforce them, nothing will change,” he added.
Rising plastic pollution threatens oceans and human health
Fiatui outlined the severe environmental and health risks posed by plastics. When marine animals ingest plastic waste, it eventually enters the human food chain.
Current estimates suggest the world’s oceans contain approximately 250 million tonnes of plastic, with around eight million tonnes added annually.
“If we do not act concretely, plastics will overtake fish in the ocean sooner than the projected 2050,” Fiatui said. He also emphasised the ocean’s critical role as the planet’s largest carbon sink, highlighting its importance in mitigating climate change.
Shared responsibility between government and communities
Kweku Amponsah Boahene, board member of Plastic Punch, stressed that effective plastic management requires action at both the governmental and community levels.
Ghana’s National Plastic Management Policy offers a robust framework, but enforcement and local implementation are essential.
Boahene encouraged citizens to reduce single-use plastics, segregate waste for recycling, and support local initiatives. He called on government agencies to provide clear direction and ensure implementation through metropolitan, municipal, and district assemblies (MMDAs).
Both speakers agreed that without rapid enforcement and public awareness, Ghana risks worsening environmental damage, public health challenges, and setbacks to sustainable development.
