Environmental News

Metascholar News Portal
Business , Environmental News , Local News
February 28, 2025
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4 minutes Read

Ghanaian Businesses Launch Campaign to Tackle Single-Use Plastic Pollution

In a significant move to tackle the escalating environmental crisis caused by single-use plastics (SUPs), five leading supermarkets and related businesses in Ghana have pledged their commitment to a Voluntary Pact aimed at reducing plastic waste. The initiative, spearheaded by Plastic Punch in collaboration with civil society organizations (CSOs) and key stakeholders, seeks to halve the use of single-use plastic bags in Ghana by 2030. Participating businesses include Sneda Shopping Centre, Neha Supermarket, All Needs Supermarket, Decathlon Ghana, and Green Butterfly Market. These companies have joined forces to promote sustainable business practices, support Ghana’s national sustainability goals, and contribute to global environmental stewardship. The Voluntary Pact, launched with the backing of Ghana’s Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology (MEST) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is part of the broader National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP). It aims to address the pervasive issue of plastic pollution by encouraging businesses to transition away from SUPs such as carrier bags, food packaging, straws, cups, and cutlery in the retail, hospitality, and food sectors. Capacity Building and Public Awareness Campaigns As part of the initiative, participating businesses will receive capacity-building training to integrate sustainable practices into their operations. Additionally, a nationwide awareness campaign, titled “Bag The Habit,” will be rolled out to promote corporate environmental responsibility and encourage the adoption of eco-friendly alternatives to SUPs. Richmond Quarcoo, Head of Plastic Punch, emphasized the importance of public education in driving behavioral change. “This campaign will amplify messages around SUP reduction and inspire broader adoption of sustainable practices. We urge all supermarkets and eateries to join us in influencing consumer behavior through eco-friendly packaging,” he stated. A Cultural Shift Toward Sustainability The initiative goes beyond reducing plastic waste; it aims to foster a cultural shift toward sustainable business operations and consumer habits. By engaging stakeholders across sectors, the program seeks to enforce supportive policies, drive behavioral change, and create a lasting positive impact on Ghana’s environment. Hobson Kwame Agyapong, Principal Program Officer at the EPA, highlighted the initiative’s broader vision: “This is not just about reducing single-use plastics; it’s about transforming how businesses and consumers interact with the environment. We are committed to driving meaningful change and ensuring a sustainable future for Ghana.” Global Support and Collaboration The Voluntary Pact is part of the Go Circular project, implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The project supports Ghana’s transition to a circular economy by…

Metascholar News Portal
Environmental News , Local News
February 25, 2025
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3 minutes Read

Otumfuo Deposes Owhinhene for Defiling the Sacred Ashanti Oath

Kumasi, February 24, 2025 – The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has officially destooled Nana Kusi Baaye II, the Chief of Ohwim in the Ashanti Region, marking the end of his 16-year reign. The decision follows a series of grave offenses, including the desecration of the Great Oath of Ashanti, extortion, illegal land sales, and unauthorized mining activities. The verdict was delivered during a session of the Kumasi Traditional Council, where the Ohwimhene was found guilty of multiple charges. The primary accusation centered on his violation of the Great Oath, a sacred covenant in Ashanti tradition. However, additional allegations of corruption, abuse of power, and disrespect for cultural norms further sealed his fate. Breach of Trust and False Testimony The Ohwimhene was accused of accepting bribes to provide false testimony in a chieftaincy dispute involving Adede. Despite knowing the rightful owners of the stool, he demanded GHC6,000 to testify in their favor. Instead, he accepted money from opposing parties and lied before the Asantehene, a blatant violation of his oath of office and the witness vow tied to the Great Oath. His sister, Akosua Nyame, testified that the chief had mocked the Great Oath after she invoked it three times to halt his illegal activities, including the sale of cemetery lands reserved for royals and chiefs. “He told me, ‘If the Great Oath has legs, let it come and arrest me,’” she recounted. Illegal Land Sales and Mining Dwumakye Baapanin, a royal, accused the chief of fraudulently selling 200 plots of land under the pretense that the Asantehene had granted him ownership. Similarly, a former Biemso Dikro revealed that the Ohwimhene had seized land under the guise of a solar project, only to carry out illegal mining operations that left the area devastated. The former Dikro also detailed how the chief had destooled and tortured him and other traditional leaders, leading to the deaths of six individuals. He further accused the Ohwimhene of neglecting his duties to perform essential stool rites, claiming, “He says he is now a Christian and cannot perform the rites, so the stools have been left hungry.” Disputed Royalty and Stool Eligibility A royal family member contested the Ohwimhene’s legitimacy, alleging that he was not a true royal. She recounted how he had denied her daughter’s rightful claim to a vacant queen’s stool, stating, “The male stool missed its way to their side, and we allowed them to occupy it out of goodwill. Now, he claims…