The Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) project has successfully organized a training workshop on upcycling for newly established sanitation committees, a group of community volunteers supporting the GARID project’s solid waste management initiatives in five of its 17 beneficiary assemblies.
The initiative aimed to provide participants with insights into the economic value of waste, and to empower them to champion waste segregation at source within their respective communities.
Dr. Kwadwo Ohene Sarfoh, the GARID Project Coordinator, emphasized the importance of community participation in addressing Accra’s longstanding challenges with flooding and waste management. “Accra has suffered for far too long from the devastating effects of flooding. It is time for us to come together to find sustainable solutions. This training is an essential step in building local capacity to address inappropriate solid waste disposal practices which are major contributive factors to Accra’s perennial flooding,” he stated.
Dr. Sarfoh encouraged members of the sanitation committees to play an active role in promoting a culture of sustainability and resilience within their communities.
The workshop provided hands-on training to equip participants with the skills and knowledge to tackle waste management challenges effectively. A key highlight was a demonstration of innovative techniques for transforming plastic waste into valuable products like laptop bags, wall hangers, and pencil cases, highlighting the potential of recycling and upcycling.
Additionally, participants embarked on a field trip to an upcycling center to broaden their understanding of innovative waste management practices and their potential economic benefits
At the end of the workshop, participants expressed their gratitude, highlighting the the transformative impact of the training. Mr. Foster Bakokor the head of Bola Taxi Cooperative, said, “This workshop has been an eye-opener for us. We are eager to apply the skills we’ve gained to promote segregation and upcycling in our communities.”
The GARID project remains committed to empowering local communities and fostering partnerships to create sustainable solutions to GAMA’s flooding and solid waste management challenges. This workshop marks another milestone in its journey towards building a more resilient City.