The Culture Department of the Kpone-Katamanso Municipal Assembly (KKMA) on Saturday, held a clean-up exercise at the Laloi beach at Kpone near Tema to improve sanitation in the area.
Organised in collaboration with Brilliant Souls International School and the Non-Formal Education Division of the Assembly, the exercise was geared towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on reducing toxic waste and noxious substances that end up in water bodies thereby polluting it.
It was also aimed at creating awareness among residents to improve on sanitation at the beach environment, as well as promote tourism at the Kpone Laloi beach.
The participants collected plastic waste, food packs, bottles, and waste from can drinks, used clothes and cigarette butts.
Speaking to journalists during the clean-up exercise along the shores of Laloi beach, Municipal Director of Culture, Ms Sandra Boison said, despite the importance of the ocean to the Ghanaian economy and livelihoods, it had become the final point of disposal of toxic waste, threatening aquatic life.
“The beach is a natural treasure that God has blessed mankind with in order to explore and enjoy. Unfortunately, filth on our beaches and inside the sea jeopardises this natural resource, which has adverse effect on tourism promotion as well as the local economy,” she stated.
Regular clean-up at the beach, she said, was this necessary to improve sanitation and make it attractive for tourists.
In addition to the beach clean-up boosting the local economy through tourism, it would also help to contribute to the country’s attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 6, 8 and 14 by 2030, Ms Boison noted.
She said the Goals 6, 8 and 14 was focused ensuring availability and sustainable management of water, a healthy environment for all, promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, productive employment and decent work for all as well as conserve sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development respectively.
The Director of the Non-Formal Education Division, KKMA, Mr Zac Abrahams warned of the consequences of dumping waste in the ocean saying “the waste contain metals with sharp edges and pieces of glass which can create a public health hazard to marine animals and tourists.”
Mr Benjamin Eshun Rockson, a Teacher of Brilliant Souls International School, said the pollution around the beach had adverse effect on marine animals and had resulted in to low harvest by fishermen.
He called for the installment of waste collection bins as well as the establishment of toilet facilities at the beach in order to improve sanitation to help reduce pollution.
“We observed that the fisher folks at the Laloi beach had low harvest of fish when they went fishing and when we inquired, they said that this has been the case for some time now.
“We need to take care of the environment for future generations. Let us be a part of the solution, not a part of the pollution,” he advised.
BY TIMES REPORTER
