The Head of the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at the University for Development Studies (UDS), Dr Abubakari Zarouk Imoro, has called for deliberate investment in human resources and modern technology to enhance waste management in the country.
He said effective waste management went beyond policy statements but required sustained funding for the development of technical capacity and acquisition of the appropriate technologies.
He explained that with the right level of investment, the country could better manage its waste, reduce environmental pollution and create a healthier and more enabling environment for society.
“The country is making efforts in the waste management sector, but there is still a lot more to be done. We need the government to invest in both human resources and technology to improve waste management,” he stated.
Capacity building
Dr Imoro was speaking at a workshop organised in Tamale for selected journalists on reporting on issues in the waste management sector.
The workshop was organised by the School of Engineering of UDS under the Waste Reduction and Management by Implementing a Circular Economy in West Africa (WARM) project.
The objective of the workshop was to strengthen the capacity of journalists to report accurately, responsibly and insightfully on waste management, environmental sustainability and related public policy issues, particularly in northern Ghana.
The project is co-funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by selected universities across Europe and Africa.
Challenges
In his remarks, Dr Imoro said persistent challenges, such as poor waste collection, limited recycling and improper disposal, were largely linked to inadequate investment.
According to him, investment in modern equipment and systems would significantly enhance waste sorting, recycling and energy recovery.
With adequate investment, he indicated that waste could be transformed into valuable resources such as compost, recycled materials and energy, creating jobs for the youth and contributing to sustainable development.
Policy implementation
For his part, the Dean of the School of Engineering at UDS, Prof. Maxwell Anim-Gyampo, said Ghana had the right policies and laws for waste management, but implementation remained a major challenge.
“Enforcement is the major challenge and enforcement cannot be done when people are not informed.
They must understand the laws and policies before they can be enforced,” he said.
Prof. Anim-Gyampo said training journalists would support enforcement efforts, as the media had the power to sensitise the public.
Project activities
The Head of the Energy Training Centre at the School of Engineering, Dr Mubarick Issahaku, said the project had trained students in various aspects of waste management.
He said the training covered areas such as electrical wiring, solar installation and other practical skills.
Dr Issahaku encouraged journalists to develop an interest in reporting on waste management issues to help promote environmental sustainability.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh