Zoomlion, a subsidiary of the Jospong Group of Companies, along with ten other waste management firms in the country, have been selected to receive a total amount of four million and fifty thousand dollars ($4,050,000m) grant from the Global Environmental Facility.
The funding will support the beneficiary companies in implementing innovative solutions to tackle environmental challenges, particularly those related to plastic waste.
As one of the key beneficiaries, Zoomlion will be receiving $410,000 to acquire essential equipment for recycling PET bottles.
During a visit to some of the recipient companies, the Minister of Environment, Science, and Technology, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed pointed out that, out of 12 companies that applied for the grant, 11 were selected, the majority of which are based in Accra, with only one company located in the Central Region.
Along with Zoomlion, other waste management companies to receive the grants include the Green Africa Youth Organization, which operates a material recovery facility at Trade Fair, and Nelplast Eco Ghana Limited, situated in the Kpone Katamanso district.
Glenn Kwabena Gyimah, Project Lead at Zoomlion, explained the project’s potential to enhance recycling rates and promote economic growth through job creation in the recycling sector.
“The focus of the grant is to extend our capacity in terms of the plant that will be able to cover up this particular material,” Mr. Gyimah said.
The initiative will, among others, create economic opportunities, especially for women who collect waste products for compensation.
The minister expressed optimism regarding the project’s potential to reduce plastic waste in the country and urged collaboration among various agencies and institutions involved in plastic waste management.
He commended the beneficiary companies not only for collecting plastic waste but also for converting it into useful products for domestic and commercial use.
The sector minister has however raised concerns about the lack of such facilities in other regions, particularly in Ashanti and Northern Ghana, questioning their exclusion from the initiative.
He pointed out the alarming statistic that the country currently processes only 10% of its plastic waste, raising concerns about the fate of the remaining 90%, which he said contributes to environmental degradation.
“What happens to the other 90%? They all contribute to environmental degradation and the hazards that we face,” he stated.
The minister stressed the importance of extending assistance and grants to more organizations capable of effectively managing plastic waste.
He noted that such initiative was part of President John Mahama government’s commitment to addressing the pressing issue of plastic waste and promote sustainable practices throughout the country.
The Minister expressed satisfaction that the project would create job opportunities, particularly for women.
The funding is part of a circular economy project designed to establish systems for reusing, recycling, and repurposing materials to minimize waste and mitigate environmental hazards.
The project not only addresses waste management challenges but also opens up new economic opportunities, generating employment while focusing on empowering women who work in the waste management sector.
Story By: Emmanuel Coffie
