26 July 2012, Accra – In the context of the GEF/UNDP/UNITAR/EPA-Ghana Project on Capacity Building for the Elimination of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyl) in Ghana, a Project Steering Committee (PSC) was held in Accra on 26 July 2012. The Committee reviewed the project progress status report. The PSC acknowledged the progress made on the inventory and the project as a whole and agreed on key decisions aimed at moving the project forward.

The committee also unanimously agreed on 30 August, 2012, as the cut-off date for the inventory. This means that after 30 August, 2012, Ghana will formally begin to make earnest preparations for the disposal of all known PCB stocks in the country.

The PCB central storage facility in Tema is currently undergoing rehabilitations to conform to the necessary standards required for temporary storage of such wastes. The national awareness campaign stepped up in 2012 and recently received a significant boost with the printing of 300 posters, 3,000 brochures, and 150 project cards.

Prior to the committee meeting, a UNITAR Senior Expert initiated work on developing a comprehensive national PCB management plan. Together with local stakeholders, they agreed to develop a consolidated national PCB management plan that will cater to all stakeholders and sectors. The work will be finalized before the end of 2012.

The expectations remain high, the tasks formidable but Ghana continues to make good progress! The next Committee meeting will take place in October 2012 with a focus on disposal and high-level awareness raising.