My visits to the West Africa region focused on a number of environmental concerns facing the region including ecosystem restoration; coastal erosion; renewable energy promotion and plastic pollution. Importantly, it was also an opportunity to see first-hand, some of the great innovations underway in this part of the world. I received an update on progress on the Ogoniland clean-up from Mr. Ibrahim Usman Jibril, Minister of Environment of Nigeria. The country’s vibrant private sector has a big role to play in environmental challenges, particularly on the issue of pollution. And this was my message to leading representatives keen on finding solutions to the global challenge of e-waste and plastic pollution.
In Benin, I met with President Patrice Talon and discussed the dismantling of old oil platforms and technical support that UN Environment could provide.
Some of Benin’s innovations in plastic pollution are outstanding. I was able to visit the Asahel factory in Tori which is producing biodegradable plastic bags.
In West Africa, Togo is playing an increasingly important role in integrating environmental considerations across development planning. The country’s rural electrification programme for example, includes provision of solar kits to rural communities. There are many interesting initiatives underway in this country that we need to tell the world about! In a meeting with the President of Sierra Lone, Mr. Julius Maada Bio, we discussed the importance of environmental education as a foundation of school curriculum and the country’s efforts to develop waste management systems.
In meetings with Mr.Komi Selom Klassou Prime Minister of Togo, Prime Minister of Togo, briefed about the country efforts to address the impact of the coastal erosions, he reaffirmed its commitment for integrating environmental protection and management into all the development initiatives. UN Environment reaffirmed its support in sharing success stories/experiences from other countries facing the same issues and in helping to showcase what Togo has done better.
It was great to have the Ministers of Nigeria, Benin and Togo signed on the Clean Seas campaign to end marine litter.
In Ghana, Mr. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation and Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta, Minister of Finance briefed me on critical environmental issues facing the region including mercury pollution (58% of the ground water is polluted by chemicals, in particular mercury), waste management, and illegal fishing. Since the discovery of lithium in Ghana, the Government is looking for the capacity to develop facilities for building batteries for electric transport and solar. They sought technical advice from UN Environment to make sure that the Government is going in the right direction. We proposed using the forthcoming environment and heath conference in Libreville in October to discuss this in more detail against the backdrop of moving more African cities to e-mobility. We agreed to support Ghana in finding alternative solutions to fight mercury pollution.
