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.
