CCAG Launches Coastal Cleanup Drive in Torkor to Combat Plastic Pollution

On Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, the quiet beach community of Torkor in Ghana’s Volta Region came alive as Climate Change Advisors Ghana (CCAG), under its “Zero Plastic Waste Initiative,” led a major coastal cleanup activity to rid the area of plastic waste.

The cleanup exercise, which drew more than 30 volunteers from the local community, was spearheaded by Mr. Peter Doh, Co-founder and Senior Policy Analyst at CCAG, with support from the Assemblyman of the area. Equipped with wellington boots, gloves, and essential cleaning tools donated by Mr. Doh, the volunteers collected over 15 bags of plastic waste scattered along the shoreline.

The exercise aimed not only to restore the beauty of the coastline but also to raise awareness of the dangers of improper plastic waste disposal. Following the cleanup, Mr. Doh and the Assemblyman engaged residents in a live radio sensitization session through a local information center. Their message emphasized the devastating effects of plastic pollution on human health, marine life, and climate resilience, while calling for behavioral change and community-led action.

“This cleanup is more than just an event—it’s part of a movement,” Mr. Doh stated. “We want to instill a lasting sense of responsibility in the youth and residents about protecting our environment.”

The Torkor coastal cleanup marks a key milestone in the broader CCAG campaign, which includes distributing recycling bins to educational institutions and communities, as well as advocating for improved plastic waste management policies. It also supports Ghana’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goals 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and 13 (Climate Action).

The success of the Torkor event demonstrates the power of grassroots mobilization and sets the stage for future CCAG interventions in coastal and inland communities nationwide.

By: CCAG Communications Bureau

Climate Change Advisors Ghana Partners with UCC, CCTU in "Zero Plastic Waste" Campaign

Presentation of plastic waste bins to UCC 

As part of efforts to promote environmental sustainability and reduce plastic pollution in Ghana, Climate Change Advisors Ghana (CCAG) has donated plastic waste bins to the University of Cape Coast (UCC) and the Cape Coast Technical University (CCTU).

The donation forms part of CCAG's "Zero Plastic Waste" campaign, a nationwide initiative aimed at encouraging responsible waste disposal and promoting a recycling culture within educational institutions and local communities. 

Speaking at a brief presentation ceremony,  Dr. Samuel Ayeh Ofori,  Director of Research and Programmes at CCAG and Senior Lecturer at UCC, highlighted the vision of the initiative.  He explained that one of the adaptation strategies to enhance institutional and coastal resilience is the provision of plastic waste collection bins to support waste management systems.

The Executive Director and Co-founder of CCAG,  Mr. Peter Doh, elaborated on the organisation's operations and its goal to recycle plastic waste. He noted that transforming plastic waste into useful products such as pavement blocks through shredding and repurposing contributes to the circular economy. 

Professor Denis W. Aheto,  Pro Vice-Chancellor of UCC, thanked CCAG for the timely donation and suggested exploring other avenues for value addition. He encouraged the organisation to sustain the initiative by also considering the business potential as a means of generating resources for long-term impact. 

Mr. Salisu,  a lecturer at UCC, noted that the donation was timely, especially as the university prepares to introduce source segregation on campus. 

Presentation of plastic waste bins at CCTU 

At Cape Coast Technical University (CCTU), Dr. Stephen Agyefi-Mensah,  Acting Director of Works and Physical Development,  received the donation on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor and Management. He commended CCAG for the gesture and shared that the university has introduced a "Works Volunteer Service" programme,  which encourages students to support climate action efforts.  The programme includes a "Green and Clean CCTU" module focused on sustainable practices. 

Dr. Nana Esi Baduwa Taylor,  Patron of the Green Club at CCTU,  expressed appreciation for CCAG's support. She highlighted the alignment between the university's "Love Project" and CCAG's "Zero Plastic Waste" initiative, noting the positive impact of such collaborations on student engagement in environmental issues. She also suggested awarding certificates for voluntary service to enhance students' CVs and encourage participation. 

Dr. Baduwa Taylor appealed to Climate Change Advisors Ghana for additional bins and opportunities for further collaboration to help sustain efforts to combat plastic waste on campus. 

As part of their broader plans, CCAG is working closely with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and other stakeholder groups to ensure the smooth collection, transport, and treatment of plastic waste in line with national environmental standards. 

By: Yusuf Ibrahim Dadzie