The European Union (EU), in collaboration with the Ministries of Finance and Environment, Science, and Technology, has launched the second edition of the Circular Economy Competition to assist Ghana in its progressive transition to a circular economy.
The Circular Economy Competition is a competition that assists small firms and start-ups in Ghana’s circular economy in becoming visible, growing, and accelerating the transition to a greener, circular economy.
Speaking at the Circular Economy Conference in Accra, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, Minister of Environment, Science, and Technology, emphasized the need for Ghana to use circular principles to maximize economic rewards.
“As Ghana seeks to diversify its economy, create export revenue, and improve labour and capital productivity, it is also aiming to become a global leader in the transition to a circular economy,” he said.
He reminded stakeholders of the importance of everyone contributing to environmental conservation by thinking and behaving in a circular manner at all times.
“Transitioning to a circular economy would benefit Ghana and assist the country produce green decent employment, decrease inequality, limit the environmental effect of climate change, and give the economy with a competitive advantage,” he said.
On his part, the European Union Ambassador to Ghana, Irchad Razaaly said: “Africa is stepping up as a major partner to the EU to achieve these joint ambitions with a growing number of African countries embracing a circular economy model. The benefits of a circular economy transition in Africa are clear. A continental study shows that even by adopting a small set of circular economy measures, Africa could increase its combined GDP by 2.2% and create 11 million additional jobs by 2030”.
