Executive Director of Plastic Punch and a leading Environmental activist, Richmond Kennedy Quarcoo, has urged the Government and citizens to treat environmental protection as a national priority as we commemorate World Environment Day.
Speaking with Brown Berry on Y107.9FM’s Ryse N Shyne on Tuesday, June 3, 2026, the Environmental Activist emphasized the need for safeguarding Ghana’s environment and why it must become a national agenda.
Quarcoo emphasized that Ghana’s environmental challenges, from poor infrastructure and weak waste management systems to the lack of behavioral change are threatening both communities and national security.
He painted a vivid picture of the consequences including littered beaches, flooding, and marine pollution. “The fishes don’t create trash, it all comes from our homes,” he explained, stressing that the waste choking Ghana’s waters originates from everyday household actions.
According to him, the ripple effect is alarming. Fishing communities such as Osu, Ada, Achimota, and Tema depend heavily on marine life. With nearly a tenth of Ghana’s population relying on fish for livelihood and nutrition, the destruction of marine ecosystems poses a direct threat to food security and community survival.
The Environmental Activist called for urgent collective action, noting that while government has a role, citizens equally bear responsibility. “This has to be a national focus,” he urged, warning that marine litter is fast becoming a national security threat.
The interview underscored the urgent need for Ghana to adopt a unified approach to environmental protection. Infrastructure improvements, stronger waste management systems, and behavioral change which are critical to reversing the damage. Without immediate action, the country risks losing both its natural beauty and its vital resources.
