Rev. Dr. Esmond Quansah, Pure Earth Ghana Country Director, represented Pure Earth at the World Bank Regional Dialogue on Mercury and E-Waste Pollution Management in Tanzania from November 3rd to November 6th, 2024. This vital gathering was part of the Africa Environmental Health and Pollution Management Program, aimed at addressing pressing environmental issues and explore sustainable solutions across participating African countries, including Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia, along with other international organizations.
The objective of the Africa Environmental Health and Pollution Management Program is to reduce exposure to mercury and uPOPs (Unintentional Persistent Organic Pollutants) pollution at pilot sites and strengthen the institutional capacity to manage and regulate mercury use in artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) and e-waste in selected countries in Africa. The program has four components:
- Institutional strengthening, knowledge, and capacity-building components will strengthen the knowledge and capacity to address the health risks due to the release of chemicals from ASGM, e-waste, and other solid waste dumpsites. At the country level, some activities aim at reducing the use of mercury exposure. Other activities aimed at reducing the release of uPOPs.
- Policy Dialogue and Regulatory Enhancements component will support the Government’s efforts in strengthening current environmental policies and legislations and facilitate their implementation to better address the health risks associated with mercury and uPOPs.
- Demonstrating the Application of Technological Tools and Economic Approaches component will finance the selection and application of specific cleaner technologies in contaminated areas of each country.
- The Project Coordination and Management component will provide support for project coordination and management, monitoring, and evaluation at the national, and local levels.
During the World Bank Regional Dialogue, Pure Earth participated in an exhibition showcasing the innovative copper plate technology, which addresses mercury contamination in tailings—a crucial issue in mining sectors. The exhibition followed the opening session of the regional dialogue and attracted nearly 300 attendees, providing a platform for in-depth discussions and knowledge exchange. This engagement enabled Pure Earth to highlight the technology’s potential benefits to a diverse audience interested in sustainable development and environmental health, including Eng. Cyprian John Luhemeja, Permanent Secretary of the Vice President’s Office, representing the Government of Tanzania. He expressed significant interest in the copper plate technology and suggested further discussions to adapt and integrate this solution into Tanzanian context.
On November 4, Rev. Dr. Esmond Quansah presented on a panel focused on Mercury-Free Mineral Processing in Africa: Understanding the Challenge and Exploring Recent Innovations, where he discussed the copper plate technology’s potential impact, further reinforcing Pure Earth’s commitment to sustainable environmental practices.
Following the dialogue, Pure Earth is set to engage further with Tanzanian officials, building on shared interests in mercury-free technologies for a cleaner, healthier environment. This event underscored Pure Earth’s role as a leader in environmental health, fostering partnerships and innovations that have the potential to benefit communities across Africa.
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For more information, please contact Nana Agyei Sikapa Ofosu-Manu, Communications Lead, Pure Earth Ghana at [email protected] or +233558182560.