Swiss Gov. to Establish Plastic Recycling Plant in Ghana

The Swiss government has donated a 10,000-dollar plastic recycling plant to Ghana for the conversion of plastic waste into rubber sandals.

The project, code-named "Plastic Free Accra", is to be undertaken in co-operation with the Wastes Management Department of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA).

The Swiss Ambassador, Dr Peter A. Schweizer, announced this on Thursday when he paid a courtesy call on Professor Dominic Fobih, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology in Accra.

"People, especially schoolchildren, would be encouraged to collect plastic waste for a fee for use by the plant," Dr Schweizer said, adding "every one kilogram of plastic waste brought would be adequately rewarded".

Dr Schweizer said his government is also interested in a re-afforestation programme in Ghana.

This programme, he said, would involve the planting of trees by schoolchildren who would own it as their private property.

Prof. Fobih praised the Swiss government for these laudable projects, saying plastic waste has become a nuisance in recent years.

He said once some use has been found for this waste, it would no longer be a nuisance.

The Minister said when the re-afforestation programme takes off, adults and, especially the unemployed youth, would be encouraged to take part since they would end up owning some property, which could give them some monetary gains.

Prof. Fobih urged the ambassador to liase more frequently with his ministry since there are lots of areas where they two governments can co-operate.

"Ghana has a lot to learn from Switzerland, especially in environmental management practices," he stated.