Program to clean the coast of all beaches launched

The Ghanaian coastline is reported to have become notorious for harbouring a lot of public waste and efforts by social organizations and associations to embark on occasional cleanup exercises have not yielded much results since the interventions are not regular and sustainable to completely eradicate waste from the shores of the country.

Beaches do not only cater for recreational needs of people, but a clean coast and the sea protects natural resources, marine life and public health.

This is why the Coastal Conservancy Organization, a non-profit organization, has resorted to move away from occasional cleanup exercises, to organize a more regular and effective cleaning regime to solve the perennial filthy coastline of Ghana with support from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority.

“We identified the need for the clean coast beach project which meets a critical national interest to rid our coastline and beaches of marine litter and filth. An initiative that fits in well with the president’s vision of making Accra the cleanest city in Africa,” the Chairman of the Coastal Conservancy Organisation said.

Justice Eshun, Chairman of the Coastal Conservancy Organization, during the launch of the project, applauded the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority for its support to have an efficient marine space management system.

“Factoring the Clean Coast Beach project through your corporate social responsibility program has positioned Ghana’s Ports And Harbours Authority as a leader in the maritime industry of Africa in making a meaningful difference in Ghana’s maritime environment and also serves as a catalyst for others in the maritime industry community to join and ensure the entire coastal area of Ghana is saved and preserved for the present and the future,” he praised.

The Director-General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Michael Luguje said its contribution has become necessary to safeguard shipping and marine activities.

“Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority as a maritime industry operator, considers the marine environment as fundamental to the survival of shipping,” he said.

He revealed that works are also far advanced to sanitize the ocean waters itself in collaboration with the Ghana Maritime Authority, and urged support from other stakeholders, to assist in the sustainable initiative to clean up the beaches.