By Buertey Francis BORYOR
City Waste Recycling Limited, in collaboration with Green Women International and supported by the Ghana Education Service Municipal Directorates- Ga West and Ga North, has honoured young environmental ambassadors in Accra for their innovative ideas in tackling environmental issues.
The awards ceremony, held on January 21, 2025, at Pokuase in the Ga West municipality in Accra aimed at promoting the circular economy among students.
In the Primary School category, Sacred Heart Anglican R/C clinched the 1st Prize, followed by Amamorley Methodist Basic ‘1’ in 2nd place, and Atiwoto M.A. Basic School in 3rd place.
For the Junior High School (JHS) category, St. Cyprian Anglican Basic School emerged as the winner, with St. Sylvanus R/C Basic School and Oprah M.A. Basic School ‘2’ securing the 2nd and 3rd positions, respectively.
The Senior High School (SHS) category saw Kotoku Senior High School crowned as the champion, while Amasaman SHS Tech (AMASTECH) and St. John’s Grammar SHS took the 2nd and 3rd spots.
Each winning school received a plaque and a cash prize based on their rankings- rewarding their creative efforts in conceptualising innovative ways to address waste management issues.
The Managing Director of City Waste Recycling Limited, Mrs. Vivian Ahiayibor, emphasised the significance of engaging the schools in fostering sustainable waste management practices.
“Through this initiative, we aim to create environmental stewards by instilling in young minds the importance of turning waste into resources,” she said.
Also, she outlined her company’s role in promoting the circular economy, highlighting its efforts in e-waste recycling, sawdust briquetting, plastic repurposing, carbon footprint reduction, among others.
“The initiative aligns with City Waste Recycling’s broader mission to create jobs and combat environmental pollution. It also aligns with the country’s commitments to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly goals related to environmental sustainability.”
Mrs. Ahiayibor said this in an interview with the Business and Financial Times (B&FT) after event, and further noted that the competition required participants to present concepts addressing waste management challenges, propose solutions, and demonstrate how value could be added to waste materials.
“These young ambassadors not only educate their communities but also inspire behavior change through their artwork,” she added.
The Managing Director of City Waste Recycling also revealed plans to showcase the winning drawings at community centers, marketplaces, and public spaces, while also organising exhibitions to further highlight the students’ talents.
She commended the role of stakeholders, including educational directorates, religious organisations, and non-profits, in making the program a success.
Speaking on the evaluation process she said the judges assessed the drawings based on creativity, relevance, and their alignment with the principles of the circular economy, and to ensure fairness, participants’ names and schools were not revealed during the judging process.
Municipal Director of Education- Ga West, Mr. Victor Noye Tawiah, also stressed the competition’s impact on students. He noted that the engagement was not merely about creativity but also about instilling lifelong values of environmental stewardship.
“This initiative is a clarion call for the youth to recognise their role in keeping our environment clean and healthy. Through their artwork, they have shown a deep understanding of environmental sustainability and offered creative solutions,” Mr. Tawiah remarked.
Additionally, he stressed the importance of providing platforms for students to express their understanding of sustainability beyond classroom discussions. “The best learning comes through doing. By participating in this competition, these young ones have taken a step further in owning the sustainability of their environment,” he said.
Also, he called on educational institutions, communities, and policymakers to collaborate in building a culture of environmental responsibility among young people.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Sophia Vanderpuije, the Deputy Regional Director of Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) highlighted how initiatives like this contribute to national and global environmental efforts.
“By educating the younger generation and enabling them to take actionable steps, we are supporting Ghana’s agenda for environmental sustainability,” she said.
Additionally, Mrs. Vanderpuije, stressed the need for continuous engagement to embed sustainable practices in the education system and the wider society.
The event marked the conclusion of a nationwide drawing competition organised by City Waste Recycling, with funding support from German Development Bank (KFW DEG)
