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These 4 methods can help solve Ghana’s plastic dilemma
Ghana currently only has waste recovery and recycling rates of 12% and 10% respectively. Effective deployment of policies and social interventions can improve this.
Clem Ugorji
Clem is a strategic communications professional and Africa regional expert on public policy, the circular economy and multisector partnerships with over 25 years of management, senior leadership and Board level experience in the corporate sector as well as deep insights and strategic relationships across sectors and the region. He has convened, led or played active roles in industry and multi-stakeholder coalitions at national and regional levels to co-create policies, regulations and other initiatives that deliver blended business and social goals on diverse issues, including taxes, public health, corporate water stewardship, women economic empowerment, sustainable packaging and plastic waste pollution.
A 14-year veteran of The Coca-Cola Company, Clem took an early retirement in January 2021 to found Circularium Africa Advisory – a growing affiliate network of Africa-focused public policy and sustainability consultants working with governments, corporates and development organizations to promote Green Growth policies and regulations, multi-sector collaborations on development issues and facilitation of regional value chain for plastic waste recycling to accelerate the continent’s sustainable growth and development.
At Coca-Cola, Clem was most recently Vice President for Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability (West Africa), a position he held from August 2016, leading strategies for social impact, public policy and regulatory engagements and corporate reputation, thought leadership and influence, to assure social license and growth-enabling policy environment across 33 markets in West and Mid Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands.
Clem has worked extensively over the last 10 years galvanizing industry and multi-stakeholder action on the circular economy of plastics. Among other roles, he was the founder and pioneer coordinator of the Food & Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA Nigeria); a founding member and coordinator (in 2020) of the Africa Plastics Recycling Alliance (APRA); a member of the Technical Committee of the Ghana National Plastics Action Partnership (NPAP); and he currently coordinates the Multi-stakeholder Regional Workstream on Circular Plastics Economy at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Regional Action Group for Africa.
Clem holds an honors degree in Political Science from the University of Abuja, Nigeria and a Master’s degree in International Relations & Strategic Studies.
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