By:
Robert Kwaku Annor
More than 70 residents from
all nine residential zones in Kroo Bay, alongside 20 selected innovators, are
developing practical solutions to waste management and flooding while exploring
opportunities to generate livelihoods from waste.
The initiative forms part of
the Kroo Bay Resilience and Circular Waste Innovation Pilot, implemented by
Felei TechCity in collaboration with the Ministry of Communication, Technology
and Innovation, with support from the Sierra Leone Digital Transformation
Project.
The pilot brings communities
and innovators together to address persistent waste management and flooding
challenges affecting Kroo Bay and develop solutions that can create economic
opportunities for residents.
The first day of the
initiative focused on understanding the challenges from the perspective of the
community. Residents, including people who have lived in Kroo Bay for more than
30 years, shared their experiences and helped identify the problems requiring
attention.
The second phase shifted
from problem identification to solution development, with participants forming
four teams to design practical approaches to waste management and recycling.
The proposed solutions
include specialised waste collection and recycling, plastic recycling combined
with skills development, systems for connecting households with recyclers and
upcyclers, and an Eco Kiosk where residents can exchange recyclable materials
for incentives.
The pilot is designed to
move beyond periodic clean-up exercises by establishing practical systems
through which waste can be separated, collected, recycled and converted into
economic value.
