By: Dorothy Yeboah and Linda Ogossou
About 600 Ghanaian youth are to obtain jobs, with an additional 3,600 livelihoods to see drastic improvement, following the introduction of a GIZ-led initiative dubbed INNOWASTE.
The INNOWASTE project, a plastic waste management innovation has come to complement Ghana’s efforts to tackle growing plastic waste challenges while promoting recycling, reducing pollution and creating sustainable economic opportunities.
Under the concept, “From Waste to Wealth: Driving a Circular Future”, it further seeks to strengthen plastic waste management systems and empower young people and waste collectors within the recycling value chain.
It will train 500 youth and waste collectors, provide equipment, set up collection points, and introduce a mobile app and vending machines to boost recycling, while supporting recyclers with cleaner waste and solar-powered efficient technology.
Speaking at the launch of INNOWASTE, Cluster Coordinator for the Network for Inclusive Economic Development at GIZ, Mr. Wilhelm Hugo, said plastic pollution presents an environmental challenge which needs to be confronted through a concerted effort.
According to him, the INNOWASTE Project forms part of ongoing interventions by GIZ in plastic and e-waste management in Ghana while transforming plastic waste into valuable economic resources.
‘The partnership involving government ministries, GIZ, Develop, Zoomlion and Blue Skies represents what I described as a triple win, by delivering environmental, economic and social benefits’ he further explained
‘We hope to empower women and young people through inclusive opportunities within the recycling and green sectors’, he added.
Representing the Government, Chief Director at the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Suweibatu Adam Esq, bemoaned that for years Ghanaians have treated waste as a problem but not as an untapped economic benefit describing INNOWASTE as timely.
‘Ghana could generate more than 88 million Ghana cedis annually through plastic recycling according to research by the Ghana Climate Innovation Centre’ she revealed.
Also at the launch, the Deputy Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, described the project as an important collaboration between government, development partners and the private sector to address environmental and economic challenges.
Government is committed to supporting circular economy projects that create jobs while keeping the environment clean’, she stressed.
Organizers say the initiative will provide market linkages to young entrepreneurs across Accra, with plans to scale to other regions.
