As part of efforts to curb indiscriminate plastic waste disposal across West Africa, the Head of Ghana’s delegation to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, Mr. Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has called on leaders in the sub-region to help deal with the menace.
He noted that the cross-border nature of the plastic waste has become a major challenge and underscored the urgent need for a lasting solution to the growing problem.
According to Mr. Afenyo-Markin who is also the Majority Leader in Ghana’s Parliament, the entire West African sub-region has been affected by plastic waste with no nation spared.
He made the call in his opening speech on Monday July 29, 2024 at a crucial delocalised meeting of the ECOWAS Joint Committee on Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, Energy and Mines, and Infrastructure at Winneba in the Central Region.
The meeting aims to address the pressing issue of plastic waste, which affects urban societies across the West African region.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin noted that, “From Dakar to Lagos, via Niamey, Accra, and Abidjan, every city is affected by plastic waste. The situation is the same in Ghana.”
“On a national level, we could have asked ourselves how to solve this problem. However, given its cross-border nature, a community solution must be envisaged,” he added.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin reaffirmed his call for unity among the ECOWAS member states in addressing the issue.
“Yes, all of us here today are brothers and sisters from the same father and mother, which is called ECOWAS. No matter our origin we are all brothers and sisters,” the Leader Government Business in Ghana’s Parliament reiterated.
He expressed optimism about developing effective strategies to combat the pervasive challenge.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin also explained that proposing holistic solutions to limit the consequences of challenges associated with plastic waste is colossal, but exhilarating and exciting because it involves service to the populations and thinking about their well-being.
He expressed heartfelt gratitude to the members of the 6th Legislature for their commitment to regional community programmes.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin also extended his thanks to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his enthusiastic support in hosting the event.
He praised the leadership of Her Excellency Hadja Memounatou Ibrahima, Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, for her role in making the meeting possible.
“Madam President, Merci, obrigado, thank you for making it possible to hold the first delocalised meeting of the 6th Legislature here in Winneba, Ghana,” he acknowledged.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin reiterated his appreciation to all participants and the people of Ghana.
“I would like to close by reiterating to you the infinite gratitude of the Ghanaian people, the President of the Republic, the colleagues on the delegation and the entire population of Winneba, our most profound appreciation,” he stated.
