On the 16th of September, WAPAN’s Director of Communications and Strategic Partnerships, Aliyu Auwal, proudly participated in the first ECOWAS Commission Consultation Workshop on the Regional Action Plan for Plastics Management and Circular Economy in Accra, Ghana. This workshop, organized by The World Bank, marked a crucial step in developing sustainable strategies for plastics management across the West African region, building on online consultation sessions that started in June.
The workshop was kicked off with a keynote speech by Yao Bernard Koffi, ECOWAS Director for Environment and Natural Resources, and Michelle Keane, The World Bank Ghana’s Operations Manager. Participants were also privileged to hear from four lead experts, Kombo Ekra Noël N’guessan, Rafaela Craizer, Rajat Rai Handa, and Akomeah Darko, who guided the working group discussions.
Aliyu was part of Working Group 3 (Innovation, Capacity Building, and Education) where he contributed by sharing knowledge and experiences, refining key strategies, and aligning them with the Global Plastic Treaty (GPT). The group’s discussions focused on critical topics such as addressing Single-Use Plastics (SUPs), enhancing inclusion of informal waste pickers, and developing user-friendly tools to execute practical solutions across the region.
During these discussions, Aliyu shared updates on UNICEF Nigeria’s Green Rising Project and highlighted how the use of the trinamiX device has been instrumental in tackling single-use plastic waste in Nigeria. The device’s technology has brought precision to waste identification and classification, allowing for more effective recycling efforts.
On the 17th, the working groups presented their final outputs, and Aliyu had the honor of presenting Working Group 3’s recommendations. It was clear from the feedback that there was a strong interest in practical, actionable solutions that not only align with regional challenges but also enhance cooperation and capacity building.
Excitingly, representatives from various countries expressed keen interest in collaborating with WAPAN to replicate its efforts, especially in relation to integrating and empowering informal waste pickers.
Aliyu extends special thanks to Özgül Calicioglu, PhD (the group organizer), The World Bank, ECOWAS Commission, West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), BlackForest Solutions GmbH, and Queens Consulting for their crucial support in organizing this workshop. He is optimistic that this collaboration will strengthen plastic waste management efforts across the region and drive impactful progress toward a circular economy in West Africa.
WAPAN is looking forward to continuing its role as a key player in fostering sustainable waste management solutions and collaborating with stakeholders across the region. Together, we can create meaningful change for our communities and the environment!