News
Govt urged to support Plastic Waste Pickers
Government has been urged to financially support technology and technical training for waste pickers in Ghana.
According to the Programmes Manager for Environment360, a waste management organisation, Ms Selasi Charway-Glover, that would provide an avenue for the waste pickers to transition to small scale recyclers to earn more income.
Ms Charway-Glover disclosed this during the commemoration of International Waste Pickers Day with Waste Pickers at Tema Newtown, last Friday.
Under the theme: ‘Empowering Waste Pickers Worldwide: Champions of Sustainable and Social Justice,’ the day which falls on March 1, is commemorated annually in honour of 11 Waste Pickers who were cruelly murdered at Colombia, South America in 1992.
The celebration is designed to showcase the positive impact of waste pickers on both the environment and society, alongside endeavours to support their well-being and rights.
Ms Charway-Glover said though, waste pickers were the main suppliers of the raw materials for recycling companies, the income generated from their activities was not enough to sustain their livelihoods.
She said globally, millions of informal sector workers such as the Waste Pickers play critical roles in the circular economy, however, their work was not recognised and were always marginalised.
For instance, Ms Charway-Glover said over the past two years, the waste pickers in Tema working at Environment360’s Pick-It Centre with support from the IKI Small Grants programme, had worked closely to recover over 279 tonnes of plastic waste from the Tema community and its environs for recycling.
This, she said translate to about 1145 metric tonnes of carbon-dioxide (CO2) equivalent recovered from the environment.
“This reflects just a fraction of the work that Waste Pickers all over the country are putting in to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Paris agreement,” she added.
Ms Charway-Glover called on government to recognise the informal waste management sector as an alternative waste management system for the country while municipal and metropolitan assemblies incorporate the informal waste management services in their planning, and recognise the efforts of the sector in supplementing waste management services within their areas.
The Programmes Coordinator for the Pick-It project, Matilda Asantewaa Sampong, advised the public against stigmatising the Waste Pickers, as their work contribute significantly to the sustainability of the environment.
Prince Asare, Environment Health Officer at Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA), for his part commended the Waste Pickers for their work in reducing landfilling, open burning, and marine pollution in the city.
The Secretary of the Waste Pickers, Susana Klugah Hoedzoadey in an interview with The Spectator demanded respect and recognition for their contribution in managing the huge amount of waste produced in the country and appealed to the government to come to their aid by supporting them to procure machines to recycle the materials.
By Vivian Arthur
Muslims across the country celebrated this year’s Eid-ul-Adha in a colourful and spiritually uplifting atmosphere under the theme, “A Season of Sacrifice, Solidarity and Spiritual Renewal.”
The celebration brought together Muslims from diverse backgrounds in a remarkable display of faith, unity and cultural heritage.
The occasion was marked by special Eid prayers at various designated grounds, the slaughtering of rams in homes for sharing among family members, friends and the less privileged, as well as musical concerts and recreational activities including horse riding.
Leading the celebration was the Chief Imam, Dr Sheikh Osman Sharubutu.
While the national celebration was held at the Black Star Square where President John Dramani Mahama was the Special Guest of Honour, similar gatherings took place at different centres across the capital and other regions of the country.
A visit by The Spectator to some celebration grounds revealed Muslims, both young and old, elegantly dressed in colourful jalabiya and other Islamic attire, reflecting the rich culture and traditions of the Muslim community.
The celebration also portrayed the spirit of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence in the country, as a number of Christians joined their Muslim counterparts to mark the occasion.
Muslim leaders and government officials used the opportunity to call on the faithful to uphold the teachings of the Holy Quran, renew their spiritual commitment and refrain from acts capable of undermining the peace, unity and security of the nation.
They further urged Ghanaians to continue to live in harmony and support one another for national development.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
Dear Obaa Yaa,
During Eid-ul- Adha celebration, I decided to spend the weekend at my boyfriend’s place since we were planning towards our marriage.
To my surprise, what keeps me wide awake, restless and frustrated every single time is that he snores loudly like a generator running on full power, and I genuinely cannot get any rest
At a point, I thought it was just a normal thing, but I have realised it is something he does with ease and doesn’t see anything wrong with it.
When he steps out in the morning, I try to get enough sleep because I may not sleep in the evening.
The most annoying thing is that, he always wants to cuddle me. These two things are a no for me and a red flag.
We are about to get married, what should I do?
Enam, Keta.
Dear Enam,
The snoring and constant cuddling are frustrating, but you don’t have to choose between sleep and closeness.
Start with the snoring: check if it’s worse when he sleeps on his back, cut out alcohol before bed, try nasal strips or a humidifier, and see a doctor if he pauses while breathing.
For quick relief, foam earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones help a lot.
Separate blankets, a bigger bed, or sleeping apart on some nights often makes couples rest well and feel closer overall.
Bring this up before the wedding .Tell him you want to wake up next to him for years to come, but sleep deprivation makes you both miserable.
Test earplugs and side-sleeping this weekend, and if it’s still unbearable, bring in a doctor. Good sleep matters more for your marriage than staying glued together all night.
