The Ellembelle District in Ghana’s Western Region has launched an Eco Brigade to tackle plastic pollution, improve sanitation and protect coastal communities.
The programme is a joint initiative involving the Ellembelle District Assembly, the Office of the Member of Parliament and Ghana National Gas Company. It will operate across 20 communities, covering the coastline from Atuabo to Bakanta and the area between Ankobra and Esiama.
The project is intended to address persistent waste problems while helping to create a cleaner and more sustainable environment in the district.
District officials said Ghana Gas would provide support for the collection and management of waste, particularly plastic found along the beaches.
“Ghana Gas is going to help us with managing the waste, especially plastic waste on the beach. First of all, we are grateful to the honourable MP and the Ghana Gas CEO. This is a new initiative. This is an initiative that is in the NDC manifesto… And you know, when it comes to sanitation, we are grateful to the President,” an official said.
The official added that the district assembly had already employed 100 people under its sweepers programme and would recruit a further 100 workers in Ellembelle.
Ghana Gas Chief Executive Officer Judith Adjobah Blay said the company would finance 250 workers, each receiving a monthly stipend of 700 cedis. The workers will also be provided with wheelbarrows, rakes and protective equipment.
She said the support was designed to meet both environmental and social objectives under the company’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments.
“The support for the community has two objectives. One is to ensure that because of our ESG compliance, the environment… so one wing of what we are doing is to have clean beaches, clean environment, safe the ecosystem. Then the S in the ESG is usually about people, the welfare of people,” she said.
“The other objective now becomes the welfare of the women whose lives are going to be impacted by this program… So far, for this beginning, we have about 1.5 million Ghana Cedis,” she added.
The Member of Parliament for Ellembelle, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, welcomed the partnership but urged Ghana Gas to complete other projects in the constituency that have been delayed.
“Now that I can see all your people, you should go and finish the projects. Because the woman has been here two years. I can’t point to a project that has been completed… including the Esiama Market. You’re almost finished. But almost is not enough, finish it… Turn on the lights for us on that beautiful road. We are aware that you are coming to revive the scholarship scheme… it has to be quick,” he said.
The Eco Brigade is backed by an investment of 1.5 million Ghana Cedis and aims to turn the coastal areas into tourist attractions within two years.
Its wider purpose is to restore livelihoods, safeguard the ecosystem and protect the coast for future generations.
