MESTI Approves ‘Plastic Not Seen Initiative’ to Tackle Plastic Waste in Mfantseman Municipal Area

The Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI) has approved a significant initiative to tackle plastic waste in the Mfantseman Municipal Area in the Central Region of Ghana. The project, titled ‘Plastic Not Seen Initiative’, was developed by the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) in collaboration with the Mountain Research Institute (MRI). It was implemented under MESTI’s Infrastructure Development Programmes (IDP) and ran from August to December 2024.

The project aimed to address the growing environmental and health challenges posed by plastic pollution in the region. Through education, awareness campaigns, and the introduction of sustainable waste management practices, the ‘Plastic Not Seen Initiative’ sought to reduce the accumulation of plastic waste in public spaces, water bodies, and communities. It also sought to engage local stakeholders, including residents, schools, businesses, and local authorities, in adopting cleaner, more sustainable practices.

Project Objectives and Approach

The Plastic Not Seen Initiative was designed with the following key objectives:

1. Reduction of Plastic Waste: The project focused on reducing the volume of plastic waste in Mfantseman Municipal Area through awareness-raising activities, waste segregation, and collection programs.
2. Promotion of Recycling and Reuse: The initiative encouraged local residents to separate recyclables from non-recyclables, promoting a circular economy approach and helping to reduce plastic waste going to landfill.
3. Community Engagement and Education: Public education campaigns were conducted to raise awareness about the dangers of plastic pollution and the importance of sustainable waste management practices.
4. Establishment of Waste Management Infrastructure: The project supported the installation of waste bins and the development of systems to collect and manage plastic waste more efficiently, with a particular focus on public spaces, markets, and along coastal areas.
5. Involvement of Local Stakeholders: Local institutions, businesses, and schools were actively engaged in the project to ensure its success and to encourage long-term changes in waste management behaviors within the community.

To ensure that the project achieved its intended goals and to assess its effectiveness, MESTI conducted a 6-day monitoring exercise. The monitoring team visited project sites, engaged with local stakeholders, and gathered data on the implementation process. The primary goals of the monitoring exercise were:

• To capture the progress made in terms of waste reduction, community engagement, and infrastructure development during the project.
• To identify any challenges or obstacles faced during the implementation of the project, whether logistical, financial, or social, and suggest recommendations for overcoming them.
• To determine if the project met its objectives and had a sustainable impact on reducing plastic waste in the Mfantseman Municipal Area.
• To provide insights and recommendations for scaling up or replicating the project in other regions, ensuring its long-term success and impact.

Preliminary results from the monitoring exercise indicated that the project made significant strides in reducing plastic waste, particularly in urban areas and along the coastlines of Mfantseman. The education campaigns helped raise awareness among residents about the harmful effects of plastic waste on the environment and human health. In addition, the introduction of waste collection systems and recycling initiatives led to noticeable reductions in the amount of plastic litter in public spaces.

Local schools and businesses were highly engaged, with many adopting new recycling practices and participating in community clean-up activities. The collaboration between UMaT, MRI, and MESTI proved to be an effective model for local environmental action, demonstrating that university-community partnerships can drive significant positive change.

MESTI is committed to supporting and scaling up innovative projects that promote sustainability and tackle environmental challenges. Based on the findings from the monitoring exercise, the ministry plans to provide additional support for the replication of the ‘Plastic Not Seen Initiative’ in other municipalities across the country. This initiative is seen as a key part of MESTI’s broader effort to address plastic pollution in Ghana and promote a more sustainable and circular economy.

Stay tuned for updates on future phases of the project and upcoming initiatives aimed at reducing plastic pollution and improving waste management in Ghana.