As part of the 2023 World Environment Day and in line with its Corporate Social Initiatives (CSI) plans for 2023, Meridian Port Services Ltd (MPS) the operator of Tema Port Terminal 3 has raised awareness on the effects of plastic waste in the society.

Dwelling on the theme for the celebration of the 2023 World Environment Day, “Solutions to Plastic Pollution” under the campaign #BeatPlasticPollution, four (4) educational institutions from the basic level to the Senior High School were sensitized on the need for environmental protection.

At Ningo Prampram, students and staff of Ningo Senior High Technical School, The Lord’s Academy, New Ningo D/A Basic B JHS and Sakumono School Complex were hosted at the MPS Sea Turtle Hatchery where they were educated on how plastic waste affects sea turtles.

The students were educated on the importance of sea turtles, the threats they face and the roles that the students need to play to conserve & protect turtles and solutions to plastic waste.

Sea turtles have an essential role in the ecosystem. Turtles regulate the food chain significantly by eating jellyfish and provide a source of income to local communities., which means that any instability for them equals instability for the whole food chain. They are also one of the most ancient creatures on Earth. Preserving them has a cultural and historical value. Thousands of marine turtles hunted and eaten by local communities, some are accidentally caught by fishing gear each year and their populations continue to decline. Keeping the beaches clean is vital for saving sea turtle hatchlings, as they can confuse plastic bags for food while microplastics can attract toxins for the nests.

The visit of the students coincided with the hatching of a nest as such they were able to witness firsthand their excavation and subsequently participate in their release back into the ocean to continue to thrive.

Visibly excited to witness for the first time an activity with the potential to safeguard the economic livelihoods of many along the coast, the students and their teachers armed with the knowledge pledged their commitment to support the program by keeping the beach clean, helping turtles to safely return to the sea and more importantly educating their communities about the importance of the sea turtles.

At the Sakumono Complex School, over 3000 pupils were educated on the harmful effects of plastic pollution which was very visible at the Sakumono beach very close to the school. Students were educated on how to segregate waste and to effectively manage plastics. MPS also donated Six (6) waste bins to aid the school in the segregation of waste.

The awareness sessions were facilitated by Justina Bentil, Social Affairs and Licensing Specialist, Nana Obrempong Owusu, Community Liaison Officer and Gideon Amenuveve, QHSSE Coordinator of MPS.

A key function of the MPS Sea Turtle Conservation Program is to promote sea turtle education. Since its establishment in 2017, the conservation program has undertaken public awareness sessions where educational institutions and surrounding communities are informed about the importance of turtles. With an over 80% success rate, the MPS conservation program has seen the protection and release of over 100,000 sea turtle eggs and hatchlings since its commencement.