The shores of the James Town coastal community, once a safe haven for fishermen, are undergoing a rapid transformation.
Plastic bags have emerged as a major pollutant, causing filth and harm to marine life in the area. The repercussions are severe, endangering the livelihoods of many in the community.
Expressing concern about the escalating plastic pollution along the beachfront and other wetlands, environmentally conscious citizens are advocating for immediate action.
The National Coordinator for the group, Awulah Serwah stated that it is time for the country to ban single-use plastic.
“First of all, it starts in the home. There was a time when the town council ensured that each house was clean. Second of all, we really need to educate people, and then we have to have enforcement,” Serwah emphasised.
She urged the government and relevant authorities to take action, proposing on-the-spot fines for those littering on the beach.
“You can have receptacles which collect plastic and let people know to put their plastic waste there, but not on the beach.
“Anybody who decides that the beach is a dustbin, fine them. We say there’s unemployment, create employment. Have people who patrol the environment, the beaches, the streets, what have you. People drop litter, you fine them immediately,” she suggested.
Serwah acknowledged that citizens also bear a responsibility to care for the beach, emphasising the need to dispose of waste in bins, stating, “There’s absolutely no excuse to litter.”
Fishermen in the community have also lamented the surge in filth along the coastline. They highlighted the severe risks, as the pollution threatens the livelihoods of many.
President of the Fishermen Association, Arnold Landlord refuted claims that their group is responsible for the beach’s filth.
“Most people think we fishermen are responsible for the filth at the beaches. Truth is, we are not responsible for the filth. The filth comes from the people at Agbogbloshie and areas around the Korle. They usually dump their refuse into the lagoon, which then flows into the sea, especially when it rains,” he said.
Nii Lantey, a fisherman benefiting from the local economy created by fishing activities, fears that plastic pollution could jeopardise his income.
“The filth really affects us fishermen. We have no one to speak for us on the matter. We really need help with the clearing of the waste at the seashore because of the filth; we are not able to have a good catch. We pull out our net sometimes and welcome waste instead of fish,” he expressed.
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