Ghana should consider the export of plastic waste- KNUST students propose

who are also known as ECO BUDDIES, embarked on an environmental sustainability project at the Teshie Southern Cluster of Schools dubbed the Sankofa Project which seeks to educate, engage & empower students in the cause of ghting plastic waste. In three thematic areas the SANKOFA PROJECT was rolled out. Education, training, eco-buddies club formation.

The students were taken through practical sessions on how to properly dispose of their waste as well as waste segregation. They were also enlightened on the 4 “Rs” of plastic waste management which are – REFUSE, REDUCE, REUSE AND RECYCLE.

own bowls and plates to buy food as it was done some years back to reduce plastic waste.

Ghana, like many other developing countries, is facing a major challenge with the management of plastic waste.

According to the World Bank, Ghana generates over 1.7 million tons of plastic waste each year, with only 2% of it being. The lack of proper waste management infrastructure has resulted in the accumulation of plastic waste on the streets, in gutters, and in landlls. This has led to environmental degradation, health hazards, and a loss of revenue due to the cost of waste management.

However, according to the MSc. Development Management Students of KNUST, there may be a solution to Ghana's plastic waste problem. The country should consider plastic waste exportation as a means of generating revenue and reducing the burden of waste management. Plastic waste exportation involves exporting plastic waste to other countries that have the infrastructure and capacity to manage it properly.

One of the primary bene ts of plastic waste exportation is that it can generate signi cant revenue for the country. Many developed countries are willing to pay for plastic waste from developing countries as they require a steady supply of raw materials for their recycling industries. By exporting plastic waste, Ghana can tap into this demand and generate a new stream of revenue. This revenue can be used to develop better waste management infrastructure in the country, create new jobs, and support other development projects.

The team of KNUST students

The students were then taken through the process of turning waste materials into valuable and useful thing such as portable lotion holders, stationary holders, ower pots, and beautiful picture arts all using plastic waste. Waste Bins for the collection and segregation of plastic waste were also donated to the school.

Sankofa, a Twi word from the Akan Tribe of Ghana loosely translates to, “go back and get it.” Its literal translation comes from the Akan proverb, "Se wo were na wosan kofa a yenkyiri," meaning, "It is not taboo to go back for what you forgot (or left behind)." Sankofa is a phrase that encourages learning from the past to inform the future, reaching back to move forward, and lifting as we climb. With this the students were taught to use baskets for shopping and also use their

The District Education Director, Mrs. Theresa Tetteh commended the ECOBUDDIES Team for an impactful and innovative project geared towards environmental sustainability. Mrs. Tetteh said she was looking forward to the Post project engagement sessions of the Sankofa project, especially because she believed that sustainable development was to ensure that present generations are able to meet their needs without compromising on the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Mr. Taylor an International Development Student from Trent University, Canada also joined the Team to facilitate the “trash to treasure” training session. The Sankofa Project was supported by Mackintosh Africa, City Spy Technologies and Talent Micronance services. The ECO BUDDIES TEAM comprised of Ms. BAABA BANNERMAN, Ms. HANNAH SAFOA LARTEY, Ms. ESTHER AGYAPONG and led by Mr. PETER ADETOR. The team is looking froward to partner other international Organizations such as SIDASwedish International Development Cooperation Agency who are keen to support recycling, biodegradable options to plastics as well as export of plastic waste initiatives.