They lament the direct impact of this negligence, which has led to severe pollution of the ocean and nearby beaches.

In an interview with JoyNews, some fishermen in the community said they now catch plastics instead of fish, highlighting the detrimental effects of pollution on their livelihoods.

One fisherman expressed frustration, stating that he now goes on “plastics expeditions” rather than fishing expeditions, as his net catches more plastics than fish.

He also emphasized that the plastics are not only destroying their outboard motors but also posing a danger as they get entangled in them.

Another resident raised concerns about the lack of bins in the area, which forces people to dump their garbage in drainage systems.

He explained that those living close to the Odaw drain and the Korle dump their garbage there due to the absence of proper waste disposal facilities. Moreover, some individuals resort to illegal dumping because they cannot afford the fee charged for waste disposal.

The Odaw drainage system, originally intended for wastewater, is now overwhelmed with trash, including plastic bags.

Despite ambitious plans in 2019 to transform the Odaw drain into a recreational hub, the reality remains grim.

Instead of yacht and boat cruises, the waterway is overrun with plastic waste, posing a significant threat to coastal communities near its outlet into the ocean.

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The Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, says plastics cannot be banned completely in the country.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosi Sen show, Friday, Prof. Frimpong-Boateng said plastic materials can only be banned when substitutes are found.

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He argued that though plastics pose a major environmental threat, a ban wouldn’t be prudent because Ghanaians heavily depend on it.

“The ban on plastics can be effected strategically. Thorough thinking needs to go in to know what can replace it. The ban on plastics is an ongoing process. We shall get there,” he said.

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Prof Frimpong-Boateng noted that the Plastics Management Policy had been prepared and designed within the context of national sustainable development priorities, including achieving the objectives of the Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda 2018-2022 and the government’s coordinated programme for social-economic development.

“When fully realised, the plans outlined in the Plastics Management Policy will unlock economic incentives for source separation, collection, processing and recycling of plastic wastes into valuable resources, generating revenue,” he said.

Source: Adomonline.com | Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy

The assurance comes days after the regulator also denied speculations about the sale and consumption of plastic rice.

The Head of Food Inspection, Isabella Agrah said a probe by the FDA has revealed that the supposed plastic eggs are rather rotten eggs.

“We had reports that there were plastic eggs so we requested the claimant to bring us sample of the eggs so that we can examine them and when we received the eggs we realized that it was actually real eggs, but rotten eggs and plastics do not deteriorate in the manner in which real eggs does.

“We have the smell characteristics of rotten eggs that is what we have, we have not come across plastic eggs in the market,” Agrah stressed.

She assured the FDA is on the alert to protect the well being of Ghanaians.