The OmniBSIC bank, has reaffirm its commitment to environmental stewardship, financial inclusion, and sustainable development initiatives in the country.
Mr Dominic Donkoh, the General Operations’ Group Head at OmniBSIC bank, who made the statement, said sustainability went beyond environmental protection to promoting financial responsibility.
He was speaking at an award presentation ceremony of the Schools Plastic Waste Recovery Project (SPWRP), organised by the Institute of Industrial Research of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-IIR) in Accra.
The SPWRP project, which was implemented in partnership with OmniBSIC Bank and Ocean Tribe Foundation, engaged five Senior High Schools in Accra, in a plastic waste recovery challenge for seven months.
Mr Donkoh said during the seven months, the bank interacted with the participating schools on financial literacy.
He said this helped students to understand that when plastic wastes were properly segregated and sold for recycling, another source of revenue was unlocked.
He encouraged the students not to stop because the challenged had ended, but rather, continue with the good work they had started in recovering plastic waste.
This was because the greatest success story would be the sustainability of the plastic waste recovery project, he stated.
Dr Donkoh said the proceeds from the sales could support the environmental clubs and other worthwhile initiatives in schools.
Additionally, he encouraged students to apply the knowledge gained in financial literacy to managing proceeds from recycling activities responsibly.
“Appreciate the importance of savings and explore innovative ways to create both environmental and financial value,” said Mr Donkoh.
Dr Boniface Yeboah Antwi, the Project Lead of the CSIR-IIR, said the project’s clear message was that enough revenue could be generated from plastic waste recovery to support national development.
“Plastic waste should not be viewed as merely rubbish to be discarded but as a resource whose recovery can protect the environment, create economic value and support circular economy,” he said.
Dr Antwi called on schools, local authorities, businesses, recycling companies, development partners and the public to support practical plastic recovery initiatives.