The Speaker of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, Hadja Mémounatou Ibrahima, has attributed the plastic waste problem in the region to a lack of adequate infrastructure for collecting, sorting, and processing plastic waste.
Speaking on Tuesday at the opening of the delocalized meeting of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources/Energy, Mining/Infrastructure of the ECOWAS Parliament in Winneba, Ghana, the Speaker also highlighted a lack of awareness among the public as a contributing factor.
She warned that plastic waste pollution could have a significant impact on food security within ECOWAS.
She lamented that despite efforts from various authorities to address the issue, ECOWAS “is still struggling to eradicate plastic waste from our towns, countryside, and oceans.”
She stated, “The scourge is an environmental threat and a hindrance to our economic development. The impact on public health is also a cause for concern, with increased risks of illness linked to pollution and contamination of water resources.”
“At an international level, in addition to the numerous conventions adopted to combat climate change, awareness of the negative impacts of plastic waste on the environment and human and animal health has led the international community to establish ‘World Plastic Bag Free Day’ in 2010, which is celebrated every year on July 3.”
“At the community level, ECOWAS, recognizing the urgency of the situation, has adopted a policy for the management of plastic waste. This ambitious and necessary policy aims to promote the reduction, recycling, and recovery of plastic waste while ensuring the responsible management of non-recyclable waste.”
“At the national level, to effectively combat plastic pollution, some Member States such as Togo, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Niger, Gambia, and Senegal have already enacted legislation to regulate the plastics sector.”
“Additionally, ECOWAS has adopted regulations on the Regulation of Plastic Products and the Harmonization of Environmentally Sound Management of Plastic Waste in ECOWAS Member States, to address the challenges faced by Member States in implementing existing regulations.”
Describing West Africa as the cradle of vibrant cultures and exceptional natural resources, she expressed concern that the sub-region faces a significant environmental challenge threatening development and collective well-being through the proliferation of plastic waste.
“The impact of plastic pollution on our ecosystem is undeniable and poses a significant threat to our survival. The figures are alarming: ECOWAS generates around 17 million tons of plastic waste annually, of which only 10 percent is recycled.”
“This lack of proper management leads to an accumulation of plastic waste in the environment, polluting our oceans, rivers, and soils, and threatening biodiversity. Individual efforts are insufficient. We need collective action and collaboration to develop effective solutions for plastic waste management.”
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In light of these challenges, the Speaker emphasized the need for innovative and sustainable solutions to the problem.
“I am confident that the participants’ expertise at this meeting will help us find solutions that meet our current needs without compromising those of future generations.”
“I believe it is crucial for the Parliament to urge Member States to invest significantly in research and development, encourage technological innovation in recycling and recovery of plastic waste, and strengthen the capacities of local actors in responsible plastic waste management.”
“Above all, we need to adapt our school curricula to include compulsory subjects on the fight against climate change and plastic waste to better prepare future generations to address these challenges.”
“The fight against plastic pollution is a shared responsibility. It concerns environmental issues, social justice, and sustainable development. By joining forces, sharing experiences, and exploring innovative solutions, we can meet this challenge and build a more sustainable future for our region.”
The Speaker also took the opportunity to thank the people and government of Ghana, especially President Nana-Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, for the warm reception.
She further commended the 3rd Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Honourable Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, for the efforts made to ensure the committee could hold its meeting under the best possible conditions.
