UNESCO Representative in Ghana, Mr. Edmund Moukala, made a clarion call to shift public attitude and intensify collective action in combating plastic pollution and safeguarding the coast and oceans of Ghana.
He addressed the occasion when a massive beach clean up exercise was carried out at the Regional Maritime University Beach in Accra to mark World Oceans Day 2025. Mr. Moukala asserted that action on the environment is not merely policy declarations but actuality.
It is not a question of talking change, but changing,” Mr. Moukala stated. “What we are doing here today proves that we are listening to global calls, including those of the UN Secretary-General, to protect our oceans and world from plastic contamination and pollution.”
Collective Responsibility, Not Government Action
The clean-up exercise, coordinated by the United Nations in Ghana with the support of Plastic Punch, Buzstopboys, the Norwegian Embassy, Fidelity Bank, and other stakeholders, aims at raising awareness and initiating sustainable action throughout sectors.
Mr. Moukala further commended civil society organizations and volunteers who took part in the clean-up and urged all Ghanaians to treat the environment as a shared responsibility.
We live in Ghana. We live in Accra. The safety of our beaches is our concern. If we want clean seas and a sound ecosystem, we must stop blaming and change our ways,” he asserted.
On whether the state should embrace a plastic product ban, Mr. Moukala noted that such is in sovereign prerogative but called for action in line with global environmental obligation.
“All government efforts to ensure a clean and safe environment are welcomed. One of the causes of flood, disease, and hunger is plastic pollution. These are problems of now,” he said.
Education, Attitude Shift Pillar for Sustainability
Mr. Moukala stressed the need for people’s education to shift attitudes towards the environment, recommending the inclusion of environmental education in the curriculum of Ghana’s schools and social outreach programs.
We need to reach out to families and children and educate them that irresponsible dumping results in disease, flooding, and poverty. The biggest problem is our mindset,” he added.
The head of UNESCO praised civic groups led by social media like Buzstopboys for rallying action from young people, saying their actions had personally motivated him to take to the beach clean-up rather than remain behind a desk.
“As the face of UNESCO, I could no longer sign papers. I needed to get out here and clean. That is where real change begins,” he said.
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UN, Partners to Institutionalize Annual National Clean-ups
Mr. Moukala averred that this beach clean-up would not be in isolation. The UN and partners plan to institutionalize once a year a national clean-up drive from Accra to other councils such as Bolgatanga, Tamale, and beyond.
“We’re pledging to do this every year. This is just the beginning. Let’s clear our country of these harmful plastics and make Ghana’s environment cleaner, safer, and healthier for future generations,” he said.
Source: Isaac Kofi Dzokpo/capitalnewsonline.com
