Africa is not a dumping ground for hazardous waste - Dr Juliette Koudenoukpo 

The Director of UN Environmental Programme, Africa, Dr. Juliette Koudenoukpo, says parties to Bamako Convention are ready to see to it that Africa does not become the dumping ground of hazardous waste by developed countries. 

She said despite the existence of the Basel Convention which is silent on transportation of radio-active waste, the Bamako Convention sees importation and transportation of radio-active waste as a serious threat to lives of Africans and the environment. 

Dr. Koudenoukpo said this during an interaction with the media in Abidjan at the COP2 of the Bamako Convention.

The Director of UN Environment Programme Africa, Dr. Juliette Koudeunokpo says by signing onto the Bamako Convention in 1999, African Countries want to tell the World that African will no longer continue to be a gabbage for the rest of the world. 

Dr. Koudeunokpo answering the question on why it took two decades to convene COP 2 of the Bamako Convention, said " There is one important thing from the Ministerial discussion  interesting to me, is about enhancing solidarity. With a common position, parties will find a way to say no to dumping of waste on the continent". 

On the question of dumping of electronic waste in Africa under the guise of technological transfer, and how African Countries can address that, she said ”Member countries have not adhered to the Mmaputo declaration of committing ten  Percent of their annual budget to science, research and  technology and when I listen to transfer of technology, I’m sad". She wondered if one percent is even given to the promotion of Science and Technology.

Dr Juliette Koudeunokpo in answering the question on the setting up of a secretariat to the Bamako Convention, against the non-payment of contribution by parties to similar organisation and what UNEP says about that said,"we are just there to support them in providing technical background. We are there to produce factual fact and not to tell Sovereign Countries what to do."

Story By: Joyce Gyekye

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