Ellembelle District launches Eco Brigade to tackle plastic pollution in coastal communities

The Ellembelle District in the Western Region has launched an Eco Brigade to clean its coast and secure a greener future.

This major environmental intervention is a collaboration of the Ellembelle District Assembly with the Office of the Member of Parliament and the Ghana National Gas Company.

The initiative marks a significant step in the fight against sanitation challenges and plastic pollution in the district.

It targets twenty communities stretching from Atuabo to Bakanta, and Ankobra to Esiama.

"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.

"Right now, as I'm speaking to you, we've employed 100 people under the sweepers system... so in Ellembelle, the district assembly will employ 100 people," he said.

Backing the project is Chief Executive Officer, Ghana Gas, Judith Adjobah Blay who revealed that the company is funding 250 workers with a monthly stipend of 700 cedis each, plus wheelbarrows, rakes and safety gear.

"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.

"So 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 stated.

Member of Parliament for Ellembelle, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, commended the collaboration but challenged the management of Ghana Gas regarding other stalled projects in the constituency.

"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 remarked.

With a 1.5 million Ghana Cedi investment and a goal to transform these coastal areas into tourist attractions within two years, the Eco Brigade is not just about cleaning beaches, it is about restoring livelihoods and protecting the ecosystem for future generations.