AMA launches Waste Segregation Programme
The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) last Friday launched a waste segregation programme aimed at making sure that waste that is generated in the metropolis is managed effectively.
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The “Waste Segregation in Basic Schools Programme”, is a partnership between the city authority and Jekora Ventures, a waste management company.
According to the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of the AMA, Mr Mohammed Nii Adjei Sowah, the initiative formed part of measures the assembly was undertaking in support of President Akufo-Addo’s objective to make Accra the cleanest city in Africa.
Additionally, he said the programme was expected to help instil in residents of the city, especially students, the habit of segregating their waste.
Mr Sowah made this known at a meeting with headteachers of basic schools in the Osu-Klottey Constituency to discuss the matter of waste segregation.
“The meeting was called to encourage people to separate their waste at source and promote clean environments in order to reduce incidences of diseases,” he said.
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He said in the course of the programme implementation process, about 201 waste bins would be distributed to all 67 public schools in the constituency, in a ratio of one school to three bins.
“Each bin would be used for keeping plastics, papers and organic waste separately,” Mr sowah explained to the heads.
He said if done properly, the practise would go a long way to help improve the environment and reduce risks to public health.
Mr Sowah said the assembly would consistently monitor the programme’s progression and make sure it becomes a success.
“As part of promoting segregation of waste to achieve the clean city agenda, the assembly has adopted a four-pronged approach, which is to educate, enforce sanitation by laws, provide infrastructure and implement the operational structure of the programme,” he added.
He urged the heads of schools to support the initiative and encourage their students to segregate their waste and where possible convert them into useful by-products.
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In an interview with journalists after the meeting, the Managing Director of Jekora Ventures, Mr Immanuel Nartey-Tokolie, said more than 80 per cent of waste sent to landfill sites; if properly separated could be converted to useful materials.
“Separating waste in the right way would allow for waste to be converted into energy and could also be recycled to turn them into useful products,” he said.
He called for waste to be managed in such manner as to avoid any negative health implications.
The headteachers commended the assembly and Jekora Ventures and gave an assurance of their support for the programme with a promise to create the needed awareness in their respective schools.
