GCEC seeks to drive sustainability in agriculture and agro-processing, textiles and plastics
The Strategic Partnerships and Engagements Lead for the Ghana Circular Economy Centre project, Joseph Yeboah, has reaffirmed the commitment of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) to supporting Ghana’s transition from a linear economy to a more circular one.
This transition will be driven by partnership-building efforts to promote efficient and sustainable resource management practices in three key economic sectors: textiles, agriculture and agro-processing, and plastics.
He made these remarks during a validation workshop held in Takoradi in the Western Region.
The Ghana Circular Economy Centre project is a five-year initiative funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by UNIDO in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI). The project aims to foster circular economy-based inclusive economic prosperity and a low-carbon economy, particularly benefiting women and youth in Ghana.
Yeboah noted that the validation workshop was the second in a series of workshops designed to validate the project’s gender and youth baseline reports while raising awareness about the Ghana Circular Economy Centre (GCEC) project.
He further explained that these workshops seek to incorporate input from national stakeholders to ensure that the gender and youth action plans being developed align with their interests and aspirations.
The GCEC is hosted by Ho Technical University, with satellite locations at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the University of Cape Coast (UCC), and The Or Foundation, which serve as Value Chain Leads for agriculture and agro-processing, plastics, and textiles, respectively.
“We are focusing on cassava, mango, pineapple, tilapia, and catfish value chains within the agriculture and agro-processing sector, while also working on effective plastic collection and recycling in the plastics sector.
For textiles, our interest spans both second-hand clothing and local textiles production chains,” Mr. Yeboah stated.
He also outlined the five main pillars of the project:
• Establishing the Centres
• Training and capacity building for beneficiaries
• Providing technical assistance for developing circular economy modules
• Enhancing financial sector support for stakeholders
• Facilitating networking and exchange programs
The Ghana Circular Economy Centre (GCEC) seeks to drive sustainability in agriculture and agro-processing, textiles, and plastics by promoting circular economy practices. Through innovative strategies, the project aims to enhance resource efficiency, reduce waste, and create more sustainable jobs, particularly for women and youth.