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
News
Government, GoldFields,reach agreement on Damang Mine
The Government of Ghana and Goldfields Ghana Limited have reached an amicable agreement on a transitional plan for the Damang Mine.
The operational modalities of the transition involve issuing a new 12-month mining lease to Goldfields’ subsidiary, Abosso Goldfields Limited, pending parliamentary ratification in
May 2025.
Under the new arrangement, Goldfields will resume open-pit mining during the transition period, safeguarding jobs and conducting feasibility studies to establish Damang’s reserves and mine life.
At the same time, the processing of existing stockpiles will continue under the supervision of a joint management team composed of representatives from the Government of Ghana
and Goldfields. The two parties will work in good faith to secure a successful transition and eventual transfer of a viable mine to Ghanaian ownership.
Both parties have agreed to advance discussions in good faith on the renewal of the lease for the Tarkwa mine, due in 2027, and pledged to work together to enhance Ghana’s
potential in the mining sector as a favourable investment destination,
News
Ophelia Crossland appointed as new Creative Director of Nineteen57
In an exciting turn for Ghana’s fashion industry, celebrated designer Ophelia Crossland has officially assumed leadership of Nineteen57, the iconic menswear brand founded by her husband, Kofi Okyere-Darko (KOD).
This transition follows KOD’s recent appointment as Director of Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the President—a prestigious national role that reflects his continued service to Ghana on a global scale.
With this new chapter in public service, the reins of Nineteen57 have now passed to Ophelia Crossland, who will take on both the day-to-day operations and creative direction of the brand.
Ophelia Crossland, the CEO and founder of her eponymous womenswear label, brings over a decade of experience in luxury fashion.
Known for her keen eye for detail and mastery in haute couture, her leadership is expected to usher in a new era for Nineteen57—one that blends timeless African sophistication with modern sensibilities for the stylish gentleman.
“Nineteen57 has always stood for bold sophistication and African excellence,” said Ophelia Crossland. I’m excited to build on that legacy and explore new creative horizons with the team,” she said.
The transition marks a defining moment for the fashion power couple—Ophelia taking the creative lead in fashion innovation while KOD serves the nation in his new diplomatic role.
Together, they continue to elevate Ghana’s presence across fashion and governance.
