Residents of the coastal areas in the Keta Municipality, Volta Region have echoed their call for cleaner beaches, backing President John Mahama’s intended initiatives to maintain pristine coastal areas in the country.
They lauded the move, which garnered support from other local communities who understood the significance of preserving natural heritage sites in the areas.
Mr Wisdom Segbefia Satsi, a fisherman at Keta, told Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview that it was important to keep the beaches clean, which would not just be for aesthetic purposes but for the overall well-being of many communities in the region and the country at large.
“Clean beaches can contribute to a healthier environment and promote tourism which can boost local economies and that is what we must come together and drive towards.”
He explained that keeping beaches clean had numerous benefits including fostering community pride, enhancing quality of life, boosting local economy, and providing spaces for recreation and relaxation, and encouraged collective responsibility among residents for clean coastal areas
Mr Satsi added that clean beaches were crucial for reduction of the risk of water-borne diseases in communities along the coast and to provide safe spaces for fishing and other aquatic activities that many communities depended on for livelihood and nutrition.
“The initiative to employ people to keep beaches clean is a great job creation opportunity. It will address unemployment while serving an environmental purpose which will align with efforts to promote green jobs and sustainable development.”
Madam Sedinam Bumegbey, another resident expressed appreciation for the government’s plan to roll out the initiative to keep the beaches clean to help address issues of pollution and promote environmental stewardship with the aim to inspire a broader action on waste management
She said clean beaches also played a role in protecting marine life through reduction of pollution which could safeguard biodiversity and support fisheries, vital for food security and income generation for many coastal communities.
Other residents GNA engaged, described the initiative to help keep the beaches clean as tangible actions that would benefit the greater environment and livelihoods which could be a positive move towards achieving better health related goals.
They said the government’s plan to pay individuals to maintain beach cleanliness is expected not only to improve the environment but also to inject income into local economies to contribute to poverty reduction and improve living standards in coastal areas.
Their support also demonstrated the growing awareness and commitment to environmental conservation which highlighted the potential for community-led initiatives to drive positive change and sustainable development in coastal areas.
GNA
