By Cynthia Alo

The Customs Officers Wives Association (COWA), Ports and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Chapter, has intensified efforts toward promoting environmental sustainability with a sensitisation campaign targeted at members, officers and key stakeholders.

The initiative, held under the leadership of the Chairperson of COWA PTML Chapter, Mrs. Caroline Anani, featured a workshop themed “Green Barracks, Green Borders: Advancing Environmental Stewardship for a Carbon Responsible Future.”

The programme focused on raising climate awareness through practical education on effective waste management, recycling and tree planting.

Speaking at the event, Customs Area Controller of PTML Command, Comptroller Joe Anani, described the campaign as a milestone, stressing that environmental stewardship has become imperative in modern operations.

According to him, the command has aligned with Federal Government policies aimed at promoting environmentally friendly practices, particularly through the facilitation of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and electric vehicles.

“Today marks a milestone in our command as we gather to raise environmental awareness. “This is a subject that concerns everyone because it’s about the earth and environment we all live in and share from its benefits,’ he said.

He noted that the command, which processes Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) cargoes, has continued to ensure compliance with environmental standards while supporting the clearance of eco-friendly automobiles.
Anani added that the command is also promoting initiatives such as tree planting, growing flowers around our work and habitable spaces while also promoting practices that encourage the recycling of single use plastics.

Warning against the dangers of environmental pollution, he emphasised the urgency of discouraging improper waste disposal.

“Environmental awareness means opening our eyes to the interconnectedness of all life. Every plastic bottle we discard carelessly, every unnecessary flight, and every watt of energy wasted contributes to a larger environmental crisis. But every small choice we make in refusing single-use plastics, conserving water, supporting renewable energy, contribute to a sustainable society, ” he stated.

The Controller further directed officers, men of the command and operators of bonded terminals to adopt improved environmental practices, reaffirming support for COWA’s community development initiatives.

In her remarks, Chairperson of the chapter, Mrs. Caroline Anani, urged members to act as environmental ambassadors by adopting simple but impactful daily habits.

She stressed the need to reduce plastic usage, conserve energy and promote eco-friendly practices within their communities.
“When you see someone drop nylon or paper on the floor, it is your duty to intervene.”
Mrs. Anani further encouraged the community to embrace tree planting, even in urban spaces, using recycled items like tires and buckets to foster greenery.
Also speaking, Deputy Controller of Valuation, Regina Anam, highlighted the urgency of the ‘Green Borders’ initiative, warning that human activities and industrial emissions have continued to distort weather patterns and accelerate global warming.

She disclosed that COWA is targeting the planting of 50,000 trees nationwide as part of efforts to combat desertification and erosion.

“The action we take today will determine the future of humanity. We must move from burning fossil fuels toward renewable energy and ensure our waste does not end up in our drainage systems,” she cautioned.
The program concluded with the donation of trash bins to the PTML Command to facilitate improvements in waste segregation.