The global coronavirus pandemic is clearly not only a health crisis but also a development retardant. Apparently COVID-19 is eroding Global economies and the Ghanaian economy is no exception.
Ghana’s economy is set to plump down from the initial estimation of 6.8% GDP to 2.6% this year as a result of the pandemic.
On account of the fact that it is prudent to adopt steps that will bring the economy back to life, even as we focus on health issues, the Government has put in place certain mitigating measures to counter the viruses’ impact on our economy.
This includes the Coronavirus Alleviation Programme (CAP) of GHC 600 million aimed at helping small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) to resurrect their businesses.
In this article, I will explain why we must consider sustainable waste management systems to help foster revival of the Ghanaian economy.
During childhood, most of us were oriented to proper ways of waste disposal and sanitation.
Parents and teachers who enforced good sanitary practices advised against littering and encourage the disposal of waste into bins. Actually, in our homes and schools, we were practising the commingle form of waste disposal where every kind of waste material went into one container until it was full for pick up and disposal unto the dumpsite.
However, we are gradually awakening to environmental sustainability and the need to change preceding waste management practices.
We are conscious of the reality that the waste we generate is occupying large portions of our lands. Whenever landfill or dumpsites are filled to their waste accumulation capacities, we are compelled to allocate different land sites to serve these purposes.
Certainly, we must be judicious in our use of land because we need to reserve some parts of our motherland for forestry and wildlife, use some portions for agricultural purposes and also for infrastructural development.
Also, we have come to the realization that there is a need for a change in waste management culture because the materials we considered waste are resources.
The word ‘Waste’ means anything that is rejected because it is believed to be profitless or worthless. The question then is are the materials we send to our dumpsites worthless or useless? The answer is ‘NO’.
The reason is in Ghana we have individuals and enterprises that are able to transform waste or discarded items into saleable commodities.
An example is NELPLAST Company LTD, a local enterprise that recycles plastic waste into robust pavement bricks and blocks. Also, we have the likes of Ripples interior Décor which uses already used and discarded car tyres to manufacture aesthetically astounding furniture. There are several other young men and women who are also doing well in the waste management sector.
With that said, I believe as a country we must take steps to ensure that we capitalize on these resources mistaken for wastes to restore the Ghanaian economy. Below are some of the benefits that accompany recycling waste materials.
An Avenue to preserve natural resources
Per the UN Sustainable Development Goals report 2019, globally, annual raw material exploitation to meet socio-economic demands rose from 43 billion metric tonnes in 1990 to 54 billion metric tonnes in 2000.
In 2017 raw materials extracted amounted to 92 billion metric tonnes, representing a 113% rise from 1990 to 2017. Clearly increase in the human population is putting an inconceivable burden on our resources.
For instance, whenever trees are cut in the forest we may find solace in the fact our homes, offices, and schools will be furnished with tables and chairs, and other essentials made of wood. On the other hand, we should be worried the only planet that supports human life is losing parts of its lungs.
Meanwhile, we can kill two birds with one stone by recycling already used materials like plastics into other artefacts that can serve socio-economic purposes.
Saves the nation from financial losses
In our part of the world, we are yet to figure out whether rainfall is a blessing or a scourge. It is as if the waste in our drainages patiently waits for its ally, the rainfall to arrive so they can both wreak severe havoc on the nation.
Five years ago we lost about 173 on the 3rd of June due to floods. From an economic perspective, Ghana has lost huge sums of money to flooding.
Studies reveal that Ghana has lost a whopping USD 108,200,000 between 1900 and 2015 as damages caused by flooding. Last year the Government of Ghana spent GHC 197 for the removal of silts in gutters to avoid flooding.
I don’t believe the nation will suffer such losses if we recycle the waste we generate instead of discarding them indiscriminately.
Creation of employment and income.
Lastly, recycling wastes can earn national income. Ghana can earn as much as GHC 2 billion annually from recycling plastics alone. In addition, the nation can create about 5 million jobs through plastic recycling.
Considering all these, we need to find ways and means of recycling our waste materials so we can unlock socio-economic benefits. This will be helpful in our attempt to restore an economy seared by the devastating flames of COVID-19.
To do this we must revolutionize sanitation and waste management in the country. We must move from the usual bin-to-landfill system. We must practice waste segregation. In our schools, churches and workplaces there should be different bins available for the segregation of plastic, paper, organic waste, and others. These materials will be recycled or used for other purposes.
Also, the government must place a priority on the recycling and waste management industry in its COVID-19 economic recovery interventions by providing the necessary support to businesses within the recycling industry.