EPA and Plastic Punch Join Forces to Combat Marine Litter in Ada.

Ada: Plastic Punch, a non-governmental organization dedicated to combating pollution, has partnered with the Ghana National Cleaner Production Center under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address marine litter issues in the Gulf of Guinea. This initiative brought together stakeholders in Ada to devise strategies for preventing marine litter, a growing concern in the region.According to Ghana News Agency, the project, known as 'Prevention of Marine Litter in the Gulf of Guinea' (PROTEGO), seeks to identify pollution sources and develop solutions to mitigate its impact on marine ecosystems. Mrs. Letitia Abra-Kom Nyaaba, Acting Director of the Ghana National Cleaner Production Center, highlighted the project's focus on preventing litter from land-based activities from entering the marine environment. She noted that fishing activities have increasingly resulted in catching debris rather than fish, underscoring the severity of the pollution problem.Mrs. Nyaaba emphasized the need for urgent action in identified hotspots, including Ada, which has significant economic activities such as farming, fishing, and tourism. Ada also houses the Songhor biosphere reserve, a vital habitat for turtles, migratory birds, and other species. The collaboration with Plastic Punch is supported by funding from the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection, Germany.Mr. Richmond Kennedy Quaicoo, Country Director of Plastic Punch, elaborated on the NGO's efforts to foster behavioral change through citizen science, raising awareness about the dangers of pollution and its link to broader environmental crises. The project involves engaging stakeholders in the Ada East District to pinpoint pollution sources and collaborate on effective solutions.The initiative aims to identify waste streams, establish a stakeholder coordination structure, and develop methodologies for site sampling and monitoring. It will also involve collecting baseline data and training local authorit ies and stakeholders on monitoring and assessment techniques. Several stakeholders expressed their satisfaction with the engagement, viewing it as a crucial intervention.Mr. Ebenezer Nartey, Assembly Member for Ada Foah Zongo electoral area, urged the community to support the efforts of Plastic Punch and the EPA. Meanwhile, Madam Betty Sackey, Coordinator of Ayongo Foundation, envisioned Ada's potential to become a major tourist destination akin to Dubai, provided that pollution issues are addressed.