UNESCO Supports “Echoes of the Landfill” Exhibition at Ghana’s Museum of Science and Technology in commemoration of World Environment Day 2025

The exhibition is a collaborative effort by the Museum of Science and Technology (MST) and ArtfullyYours, Bee Arthur Creative Productions for World Environment Day 2025. The exhibition convened six Ghanaian eco-conscious artists—Obed Addo, Beatrice Bee Arthur, Essilfie Banton, Andrea Ghia, and Salim—who excavate the hidden politics within discarded plastic: narratives of colonial residues, neoliberal excess, and quiet acts of African resilience as well as spotlight the urgent issue of waste and its impact on both the environment and human well-being, using art, culture, and science as powerful tools for awareness and change.

“Echoes of the Landfill” transformed the museum space into a compelling narrative on environmental degradation, consumer culture, and the hidden legacy of landfills. Through installations made from repurposed and recycled materials, alongside interactive exhibits and multimedia storytelling, visitors were invited to reflect on the journey of waste—from homes and markets to dumping grounds—and its broader implications on ecosystems, health, and heritage.

One of the artists, Bee Arthur shared saying “the artists in this exhibition do not recycle—they resurrect trash. Through sculpture, installation, painting, poetry, and photography, they force plastic to confess: as a relic of extractivism, a marker of climate injustice, and paradoxically, a medium for African futurity” 

“This is NOT an exhibition about waste. It is an intervention in time. A demand to rewrite the lexicon of value: that a bag is not "single-use" but a generational artifact; that those who scavenge are archivists of the Anthropocene” Bee Arthur further echoes. 

The UNESCO Representative and Chairperson for the occasion,  Mr. Edmond Moukala stated that; “Echoes of the Landfill” is a powerful exhibition at the intersection of art, science, and sustainability, compelling audiences to confront the often-overlooked consequences of waste and consumer habits. Using artworks made from discarded materials, gives voice to the silent stories of landfills—reminding us that waste does not vanish but accumulates, leaving lasting imprints on the environment, our health, and future generations. 

In Ghana, where landfills grow rapidly with plastics, e-waste, and pollutants, this exhibition highlights the urgent need for national reflection on environmental choices and their impacts on urban life and ecosystems. Through its evocative displays, “Echoes of the Landfill” challenges us to rethink the afterlife of our consumption and the legacy we are creating”.

“Echoes of the Landfill” opens on the back of an exhibition “Nature Without Humans” by Nii Boi which UNESCO supported at this same museum in 2021 on World Environment Day - a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the intricate relationship between humanity and the natural world inviting viewers to imagine ecosystems, landscapes, and environments untouched—or recovering—from human impact.

The exhibition  highlighted the critical role that environmental education, youth engagement, and indigenous knowledge systems play in fostering responsible environmental stewardship. UNESCO emphasized that the integration of culture and creativity into environmental discourse can inspire more inclusive and lasting solutions to global challenges like pollution and climate change.

The event brought together students, artists, environmental scientists, policy-makers such as Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie the sector Minister, agencies such as the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board and the Creative Arts Agency as well as members of the public, creating a vibrant space for dialogue and learning. 

In line with the 2025 World Environment Day theme, “Beat Plastic Pollution” the exhibition encouraged visitors to consider how waste impacts land use, biodiversity, and community life, and to imagine alternatives rooted in sustainability, innovation, and collective action.

UNESCO commends the Museum of Science and Technology and its partners for curating such a powerful experience that bridges science and culture to provoke critical thought and promote environmental consciousness. By supporting initiatives like “Echoes of the Landfill,” UNESCO continues to advocate for environmental responsibility that is grounded in cultural awareness, education, and participatory engagement—empowering communities to act for a healthier, more sustainable future.