The Vegetarian Association of Ghana has called on Ghanaians to join hands in curbing the use of plastics in the country.
Despite calls from various stakeholders for a ban on plastics, the government has not yielded to such demands.
Speaking to Citi News at this year’s VegFest held in Accra on Friday, President of the Association, Kolawole Braimah said the time is now for action to be taken.
“The second objective is the menace of plastics and rubbers. You are in Ghana and you see plastics and rubbers everywhere. This is an event where there are no plastics and rubbers so we are telling people that we are not going to wait on government. We are taking the initiative. We want to prove that it is doable.”
“So we need Ghanaians. If you’re concerned about the environment, if you’re concerned about plastics and rubbers, come talk to us. Let’s partner and get things done,” he stated.
He indicated that their aim is to achieve a 100 percent plastic-free society.
Stating the objectives of the event, he lamented on the perception that what all vegetarians do is to “eat grass”.
“One of our objectives was to demonstrate to Ghanaians that it is possible to be a vegetarian. We want to change the impression about Ghanaians thinking that if you are a vegetarian, all you eat is grass. We want to demonstrate to Ghanaians what is possible,” he noted.
He further advised Ghanaians to eat more fruits and vegetables and clear all negative perceptions about being a vegetarian.
“Most people don’t understand that vegetarianism is not an exclusive spiritual concept. It is a way of life. It has to be part of you.”
Mr Braimah added that the third objective of the event was to demonstrate to Ghanaians that it can be profitable to venture into vegetarian businesses.
About VegFest
The Vegetarian Association of Ghana’s VegFest is an annual festival that provides the platform for all vegetarian societies, and individuals from all parts of the world to converge, share and promote the concept of veganism, vegetarianism as a standard for healthy living and sustainability.
This year’s event which took place at the W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Centre for Pan African Culture was themed ‘The environment: An extension of you’.
VegFest is the “first true and wellness fair held in Ghana”, as described by Kolawole Braimah.
The Vegetarian Association of Ghana (VegGhana) was registered in 2005 as a non-governmental and not for profit-making organization.
VegGhana is aimed at promoting the benefits of vegetarianism for people’s health, the environment and a more compassionate world.