The Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, has revealed that his twelve Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), operating within the plastics value chain under his Ministry, had been selected to receive technical and financial support.
The Minister made this known at a news conference at the Ministry of Information in Accra yesterday. The support, he noted, was mainly offered for them to demonstrate the production of biodegradable plastics from alternative feedstock and packaging materials designed from non-fossil.
Achievements
Mr. Kwaku Afrieyie also revealed that his outfit was collaborating with relevant Ministries and private sector to transform the Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute (GSSTI) into the Ghana Space Agency to coordinate the development of the human capital, infrastructure and manage the space science sector.
He stated: “The Ministry under the Ghana-Korea K-Innovation Partnership Programme unveiled a 10-year master plan to specifically enhance the commercialization of Research and Innovation.”
He further noted that he has completed the review of Ghana’s National Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy with technical and financial support from UNESCO.
“MESTI, in partnership with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), is reviewing the Biological and Toxin Weapons Bill that seeks to implement the 1972 Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction,” he said.
On Plastic Management, he revealed that they were working with the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly using the Phasing-In Approach to the management of “Orphan Plastics” in selected electoral areas (Adabraka North) to promote circular economy through plastics collection, sorting and recycling.
This, he said, was to ensure the implementation of the National Plastics Management Policy (NPMP).
On Sustainable Management of E-Waste, Dr. Kwaku Afrieyie said with support from the German Development Cooperation, the Ministry is implementing the sustainable management of electrical and electronic waste through the provision of incentives.
“Over 315.71 tons of e-waste cables, 36.65 tons of mixed batteries, 19.94 tons of thermoplastics and 106 sets of CRTs have been retrieved to prevent their indiscriminate disposal into the environment”, he asserted.
Way Forward
According to Dr. Afriyie, as his ministry forges ahead in the pursuit of national development, it will continue to deepen the collaboration with all MDAs, CSOs and the Private Sector to co-manage the implementation of its policies, programmes and projects.
These collaborations, he said, will enhance circularity, thus, recognizing the finite nature of resources and the urgent need to transition to sustainable consumption and production patterns where the Ministry promotes the adoption of circular economy principles.
