Tarkwa: AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine concluded this year's World Environment Day celebration by organizing a forum focused on reducing plastic waste, aligning with the theme 'Ending Plastic Pollution'. The forum brought together traditional leaders, regulators, environmental stewards, mine employees, and students from local schools.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Abraham Osei Badu, Acting Managing Director of AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine, emphasized the importance of global action against plastic pollution, which poses a threat to ecosystems, wildlife, and human health. He highlighted alarming statistics from the World Bank, noting that 86% of Ghana's waste consists of plastics, with 250,000 metric tonnes entering the Atlantic Ocean annually. He warned that without urgent intervention, plastics could outweigh fish in the ocean by 2050.
In response to this crisis, the mine organized the forum to raise awareness, demonstrate their plastic management efforts, inspire behavioral changes, and mobilize collective action towards environmental sustainability. In a significant move, the mine banned single-use plastics on-site in October 2023, eliminating items like takeaway packs and disposable utensils in their facilities. Additionally, they launched a recycling program and mandated waste segregation to facilitate recycling efforts.
Mr. Badu urged attendees to spread awareness about plastic pollution and encouraged collective participation in combating this issue. Mr. Emmanuel Inkoom, Assistant Programme Officer at EPA, Tarkwa, detailed the dangers of various plastics, particularly microplastics, which can infiltrate aquatic species and pose health risks to humans consuming contaminated fish.
Miss Priscilla Agyemang from the Water Management Ankobra Basin praised the mine's initiatives and encouraged other organizations to follow suit, despite potential challenges. She reiterated the detrimental impacts of plastics on water sources and aquatic life.
World Environment Day, observed globally on June 5, aims to raise environmental awareness and prompt protective actions.
