Let’s tackle waste problem—Ameyaw Akumfi

Page 17, June 5, 2009
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah
THE Member of Parliament (MP) for Techiman North, Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi has stressed the need for all Ghanaians to play their roles to tackle the problem of management which has now reached an explosive level in the country.
The MP made a statement in Parliament House yesterday on the 2009 World Environment Day which is celebrated on June 5, every year.
The theme for this year’s celebration is: “Your plant needs you-unite to combat climate change”.
Prof. Ameyaw-Akumfi emphasised that all types of waste, from domestic to industrial had engulfed residential areas, choked waterways, and taken over arable lands.
“The sad state of affairs is that the waste management issue is not limited only to the cities, but the entire nation”, he stated.
The MP cautioned that “In our desire to meet our daily needs and develop, we must not lose sight of desertification and biodiversity loss”, adding “These losses must also be checked with pragmatic programmes”.
The MP for Ablekuma North, Mr Justice Joe Appiah also contributed to the statement.
He said the importation of second-hand goods such as socks, singlets, brassieres, among others could cause environmental hazards, adding that plastic waste and water sachets that entered the seas and lagoons also gave problems to the fish and fishermen.
Mr Appiah, therefore, stressed the need to check pollution and other environmental challenges in the country.

Portrait of Prof. Christopher Akumfi, the MP for Techiman North.