Veep bemoans plastic waste menace in Ghana

Accra, Sept. 24, GNA - Vice President John Dramani Mahama on Wednesday bemoaned the cost the nation incurs in dealing with plastic waste and called for concerted efforts to find lasting solution to the menace.

"Indeed it is believed that Ghana's plastic waste have been found in the Mediterranean Sea. Plastic waste in Ghana has taken central stage and government is seriously considering a legislation to ban its usage completely. The nation would be better off not to suffer this any longer."

Mr Mahama made the observation during a meeting with a seven -member business delegation from Malaysia at the Osu Castle. The delegation, which was led by Mr Kojo Yankah, Founder of the African Universities College of Communications , are in the country to establish a factory to manufacture bio-degradable disposable products in Ghana, which would be the first ever in West Africa .

Mr Mahama expressed amazement when he examined samples of the products to be manufactured in Ghana, which include boxes, cutlery sets that could take 180 days to degrade to help green Ghana and exclaimed: "Is it for real?"

He said the project was timely since government was exploring ways of collaborating with a corporate entity to facilitate its green initiatives.

Mr Mahama said job creation was key to government and assured the delegation of the commitment of the Executive to ensure the success of the project.

He noted that the green initiative project would help to promote the health of the people. Mr Yankah said the project, which would be sited in the Central Region, would be completed in nine months.