Friday, February 2, 2024

EPA Administrator Regan Wraps up Successful Mission to Africa, Reaffirms Commitment to Partnerships in Mozambique and Ghana

WASHINGTON — EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan returned from Africa this week after completing a successful mission to Mozambique and Ghana, where he reinforced EPA’s commitment to partnering with leaders, young people, and advocates to develop shared solutions to environmental challenges. Administrator Regan participated in a range of activities, from meetings with national leaders, to touring innovative facilities addressing pollution, to engaging with youth advocates to learn first-hand about local environmental challenges and how young people are leading the way to healthier communities.

Administrator Regan’s mission to Africa came in response to President Biden’s call to action at the 2022 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit to expand substantive and meaningful partnerships with African countries, institutions, and people across the continent.

“I’ve returned from Africa invigorated by the people of Mozambique and Ghana – especially the young people I met along the way – whose work to develop solutions to tackle pollution in their communities is incredibly inspiring,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Thanks to President Biden’s vision for leaders across his cabinet to engage the continent in a meaningful way, EPA now has stronger partnerships with leaders and advocates on the ground to tackle our most pressing environmental challenges together.”

Here are some highlights from Administrator Regan’s trip:

Mozambique

Administrator Regan joined U.S. Ambassador to Mozambique Peter H. Vrooman at a ceremony to announce a new air quality monitor at the U.S. Embassy in Maputo. Maputo has now joined nearly 80 U.S. embassies and consulates across the world to monitor air quality and display it on EPA’s AirNow website – empowering communities to make informed decisions about their health and safety.

The Administrator also announced that EPA will work with Mozambican government officials to provide technical assistance surrounding the use of its AERMOD Air Modeling software, which uses state-of-the-art technology for air quality modeling.

Administrator Regan unveiling the new U.S. embassy air quality monitor. January 22, 2024
Administrator Regan unveiling the new U.S. embassy air quality monitor. January 22, 2024

During a meeting with his counterpart in Mozambique, Ivete Joaquim Maibaze, Minister of Land and Environment, the two leaders discussed the impact of mining operations on the environment and local communities. EPA announced that it will provide technical assistance and guidance to help the Mozambican government and civil society more meaningfully engage in public processes around responsible mining operations.

Administrator Regan with Ivete Joaquim Maibaze, Minister of Land and Environment. January 22, 2024
Administrator Regan with Ivete Joaquim Maibaze, Minister of Land and Environment. January 22, 2024

 Administrator Regan met with youth activists from Geração Consciente leading clean-up efforts on Fisherman’s Beach, to hear how they are raising awareness of environmental issues, mangrove restoration, and trash cleanup from their beaches.

 Administrator Regan at Fisherman’s Beach meeting with youth activists. January 23, 2024
Administrator Regan at Fisherman’s Beach meeting with youth activists. January 23, 2024

During a visit at Macaneta Beach, Administrator Regan met with members from the community and learned from local leaders about efforts to address worsening coastal erosion, including by placing old tires along the shoreline. EPA experts will partner with U.S. Geological Society counterparts to host a webinar with a community in Mozambique that is struggling with the impacts of coastal erosion. 

 Administrator Regan at Macaneta Beach witnessing efforts to address coastal erosion. January 23, 2024
Administrator Regan at Macaneta Beach witnessing efforts to address coastal erosion. January 23, 2024

While in Mozambique, Administrator Regan met with local advocates and business leaders that have developed advanced ideas to use clean energy to power critical services, as well as address pollution challenges from plastics and waste.

He visited the site of a project funded in part by USAID to harness solar energy to power a water tower that can provide reliable water to up to 8,000 people in the surrounding area.

While in Mozambique, Administrator Regan met with local advocates and business leaders that have developed advanced ideas to use clean energy to power critical services, as well as address pollution challenges from plastics and waste. He visited the site of a project funded in part by USAID to harness solar energy to power a water tower that can provide reliable water to up to 8,000 people in the surrounding area.
Administrator Regan during a community visit near the PRONASAR Solar-Powered Water Tower which has brought water to homes in Marracuene, Mozambique. January 22, 2024

 The Administrator also visited a “Glass House” made of bottles that have been picked up from the nearby beach, helping to educate and inspire children about the impact of marine litter.

Administrator Regan and U.S. Ambassador to Mozambique, Peter Vrooman at the Glass House in Macaneta Beach. January 23, 2024
Administrator Regan and U.S. Ambassador to Mozambique, Peter Vrooman at the Glass House in Macaneta Beach. January 23, 2024

The Administrator visited a woman-owned biomedical manufacturing company called BioMec that repurposes plastic collected from Mozambique's shores to create custom prosthetics.

Administrator Regan at BioMec Factory in Manhiça, Mozambique where young researchers are upcycling plastics like fish nets and bottles into medical prosthetics to address the plastic pollution. January 23, 2024
Administrator Regan at BioMec Factory in Manhiça, Mozambique where young researchers are upcycling plastics like fish nets and bottles into medical prosthetics to address the plastic pollution. January 23, 2024 

While in Vilankulo, the Administrator met with waste collectors who have removed over 500 tons of waste and turned it into bricks for infrastructure projects.

Administrator Regan takes a turn preparing new bricks made of waste collected at a nearby beach. January 24, 2024
Administrator Regan takes a turn preparing new bricks made of waste collected at a nearby beach. January 24, 2024

At a visit to the ParCo facility in Vilankulo, the Administrator learned about how innovative solutions to remove waste from the ocean can have a profound impact on improving the lives of children and all people.

 Administrator Regan meeting with youth ambassadors, school kids, and members of the community at ParCo to hear how they are addressing plastic washing up on their beaches. January 23, 2024
Administrator Regan meeting with youth ambassadors, school kids, and members of the community at ParCo to hear how they are addressing plastic washing up on their beaches. January 23, 2024

Ghana

While in Ghana, Administrator Regan was joined by NAACP President and CEO, Derrick Johnson. On their first day together, the two leaders visited the home and final resting place of Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois, and they both laid wreaths in his honor and paid their respects to the civil rights icon.

Administrator Regan and NAACP President Derrick Johnson tour the home and final resting place of renowned American scholar and NAACP founder, W.E.B Du Bois. January 26, 2024
Administrator Regan and NAACP President Derrick Johnson tour the home and final resting place of renowned American scholar and NAACP founder, W.E.B Du Bois. January 26, 2024
 NAACP President Derrick Johnson lays a wreath and Administrator Regan pays his respects at the tomb of NAACP founder and renowned American scholar W.E.B Du Bois in Accra, Ghana. January 26, 2024
NAACP President Derrick Johnson lays a wreath and Administrator Regan pays his respects at the tomb of NAACP founder and renowned American scholar W.E.B Du Bois in Accra, Ghana. January 26, 2024

Administrator Regan and President Johnson also visited Cape Coast Castle, where they laid wreaths at the site that once served as a holding facility for enslaved Africans before they were transported to the Americas. While at Cape Coast, the leaders met with Cape Coast paramount chief Osabarima Kwesi Atta II and discussed an array of issues, including climate change and impact it has had on the community over the years.

Administrator Regan and President Johnson also visited Cape Coast Castle, where they laid wreaths at the site that once served as a holding facility for enslaved Africans before they were transported to the Americas. While at Cape Coast, the leaders met with Cape Coast paramount chief Osabarima Kwesi Atta II and discussed an array of issues, including climate change and impact it has had on the community over the years.
During his visit to Cape Coast Castle, Administrator Regan reflects and shares a solemn moment of silence. January 28, 2024.
Administrator Regan lays a wreath in the dungeons to honor the enslaved people held at Cape Coast Castle. January 28, 2024
Administrator Regan lays a wreath in the dungeons to honor the enslaved people held at Cape Coast Castle. 
 January 28, 2024 

Administrator Regan visited Electro Recycling Ghana, which has developed an innovative approach to refurbish, reuse, and recycle electronic waste. At the same time, EPA announced it will help build capacity for e-waste management by featuring Ghana at an upcoming International E-Waste Management Network Webinar and by providing support for an e-waste technical expert from the Government of Ghana to participate in the annual IEMN meeting.

 Electro Recycling Ghana’s Co-Founders lead Administrator Regan on a tour where he observed innovative approaches to refurbish, reuse, and recycle electronic waste. January 26, 2024
Electro Recycling Ghana’s Co-Founders lead Administrator Regan on a tour where he observed innovative approaches to refurbish, reuse, and recycle electronic waste. January 26, 2024

While also in Ghana, Administrator Regan took a tour of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Cookstove Lab, and there he announced that EPA provided financial support for the lab director to attend a conference for lab and field research on cookstoves, as well as provide technical assistance to the lab.

Administrator Regan and President Johnson toured the community of Jamestown with her excellency, The Second Lady of Ghana, Samira Bawumia, to meet with mothers who are using cleaner, more efficient cookstoves to put food on the table and provide for their families.

Administrator Regan and Her Excellency, The Second Lady of the Republic of Ghana, Samira Bawumia, film a recap of their day in a video posted to social media. January 27, 2024
To view the video visit Administrator Regan’s Instagram account

Administrator Regan and Her Excellency, The Second Lady of the Republic of Ghana, Samira Bawumia, film a recap of their day in a video posted to social media. January 27, 2024
During their visit to the Jamestown community, Administrator Regan, President Johnson, and Her Excellency, The Second Lady of the Republic of Ghana, Samira Bawumia connected with women facing challenges due to unclean cooking methods. January 27, 2024
During their visit to the Jamestown community, Administrator Regan, President Johnson, and Her Excellency, The Second Lady of the Republic of Ghana, Samira Bawumia connected with women facing challenges due to unclean cooking methods. January 27, 2024
Administrator Regan, President Johnson, US Ambassador Virginia Palmer, and Her Excellency, The Second Lady of the Republic of Ghana, Samira Bawumia walk the streets and greet members of the Jamestown community in Accra, Ghana. January 27, 2024
Administrator Regan, President Johnson, US Ambassador Virginia Palmer, and Her Excellency, The Second Lady of the Republic of Ghana, Samira Bawumia walk the streets and greet members of the Jamestown community in Accra, Ghana. January 27, 2024

On his last day in Ghana, the Administrator visited Environment 360 to meet with young activists and entrepreneurial women that are uplifting their communities.

While in Dodowa, Administrator Regan and President Johnson meet with young students involved in a Green Generation Ambassador Program at a local non-profit. January 29, 2024
While in Dodowa, Administrator Regan and President Johnson meet with young students involved in a Green Generation Ambassador Program at a local non-profit. January 29, 2024


from EPA News Releases https://ift.tt/ImvFiVC