By Jibril Abdul Mumuni
Accra, Aug. 09, GNA- The Human Rights Advocacy Centre (HRAC Ghana), in partnership with Crossroads International, has launched an innovative plastic pollution initiative involving students from Accra Girls’ High School.
The project combines hands-on cleanup activities with practical training in upcycling to address Ghana’s growing plastic waste crisis.
Ghana generates an estimated 840,000 tonnes of plastic waste each year, yet only 5 to 10 percent is recycled.
The majority ends up in landfills, waterways, or is burnt, posing serious environmental and public health risks.
Coastal areas like Accra’s Labadi Beach face severe pollution, with shorelines littered with plastic debris.
On Friday, July 18th, 27 students participated in a beach cleanup at Labadi Beach, collecting plastic bottles and sachet water bags, some of the most common pollutants.
The waste gathered will be repurposed into useful items such as earrings, flower pots, and sandals.
The following day, the students visited McKickingtorch Africa, an upcycling facility, where they learnt how discarded plastics are transformed into jewelry and decorative materials.
A workshop also educated them on the health hazards of plastic pollution, ocean contamination, and sustainable waste management practices.
Ms. Stephanie Kumi, Programmes and Innovations Advisor at HRAC, highlighted the broader goal of the initiative, stating, “This project goes beyond cleanup it’s about empowering young women with knowledge and leadership skills to drive environmental change in their communities.”
Plastic pollution disproportionately affects women and girls, with toxins from burning plastics linked to reproductive health issues and increased disease risks in vulnerable populations.
To ensure lasting impact, the project plans to establish school eco-clubs, appoint student “green prefects,” and incorporate environmental education into extracurricular programmes.
Over 1,000 students are expected to benefit as the lessons from the campaign are shared school-wide.
The initiative aligns with national and global efforts to promote environmental sustainability and youth leadership in climate action.
It underscores the right of every child, particularly girls, to a clean and healthy environment.
GNA
Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong