The United Nations and its partner agencies in Ghana have undertaken a major beach clean-up exercise along the shores of the Regional Maritime University at Nungua in the Greater Accra Region.
The initiative—organised in collaboration with Ecozoil, Plastic Punch, the Regional Maritime University, the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, the Norwegian Embassy, Margins ID Group, MTN, Fidelity Bank, MyHealthCop, and the Buz Stop Boys—was aimed at addressing environmental degradation, improving sanitation, and enhancing community wellbeing.
Speaking at the event, Edmond Moukala, UNESCO Representative to Ghana, warned about the growing threats facing the world’s oceans, including pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change. He stressed the urgency of collective responsibility and the need for communities and organisations to unite in protecting marine environments.
“The future of our oceans depends on the actions we take today,” he said. “Every small effort contributes to a larger impact, and partnerships are crucial to driving change.”
The Chargé d’Affaires at the Norwegian Embassy in Ghana, Kyrre Holm, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for global cooperation to combat overfishing, ocean pollution, and the effects of climate change. He reaffirmed Norway’s support for sustainable ocean governance and called for stronger commitments toward SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and the outcomes of the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France.
Senior Lecturer at the Department of Nautical Science at the Regional Maritime University, Johnson Adjetey, also highlighted the threat of plastic waste to marine ecosystems. He welcomed the initiative, noting that long-term efforts like this were key to safeguarding the health of oceans and coastal communities.
Heneba Kwadwo Safo, founder of Buz Stop Boys, pointed to societal habits as a major source of marine pollution. He emphasized the need to tackle improper waste disposal practices, particularly during rainfall, and called for greater public education and responsible citizenship to reduce ocean pollution.
Board Member of Plastic Punch, Kwaku Amponsah Boahene, added that shifting from single-use plastics to reusable alternatives such as bottles would help protect both the environment and public health. He also advocated for waste separation at source to support more effective pollution control.