Read Time: 2 minutes
I have spent 4 hours today picking water sachets, food black and other plastics around my surrounding. I have been doing this for a couple of months. But it is a lost battle. The following day, it is back to square one. People throw these plastics wherever they finish eating and drinking. But all the same and in honour of May Day, the Great Day of Workers, I made my contribution. However, I will say that in order to defeat plastics that is destroying our environment, I wish to make the following suggestions.
The districts, municipal and metropolitan authorities must be made more responsible to collect and dispose of plastics in their local authority areas. Containers must be put at accessible points and people educated and cajoled to put plastics into the containers.
The authorities should employ workers who will be responsible to ensure that plastics are put into containers.
The district authorities must sign posts using big bill-boards and undertake radio and television discussions and adverts on where to dispose of plastics. The Information Services Department if it still exists must go to village markets with loud-speakers and broadcast messages on where to dispose of plastics. The people must be told that if they are caught disposing plastics around, they will be instant fines of up to 10 cedis. Staff must be at key point who will fine people disposing plastics anywhere except in the containers provided.
The containers must be promptly emptied. The plastics must be compacted and sold to constructors or plastic companies who are engaged in using recycled plastics for their businesses.
We have to rid ourselves of the menace of plastics that is destroying the country.
Funding for the above will come from the fines of people throwing plastics about, and also businesses who will buy the plastics for recycling. The district assemblies through their internal generated funds must contribute to fund the initiative.
There must disciplined teams set up by local authorities to man the project.
Thoughts of a Native Son
Nyeya Yen