United Way Ghana in collaboration with Vivo Energy Ghana commemorated World Environment Day with the pupils of the LA Enobal Basic school within the LA Dadekotopon Municipality to provide solutions to plastic pollution under the theme #BeatPlasticPollution.
The activity aimed at creating awareness of plastic pollution and its dangers to the environment , in an effort to promote environmental sustainability. This initiative aligns with United Way Ghana and Vivo Energy Ghana’s joint efforts to inculcate the habit of good environmental practices among the pupils and support for the attainment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 12 – target 12.5 which seeks to substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse, SDG 3 – Good health and Wellbeing, and SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation.
About 150 members of the Vivo Energy Ghana Environmental Club of the LA Enobal Basic School and 15 employees from Vivo Energy Ghana engaged in a mini clean-up exercise on the school compound and its environs. They also embarked on a house-to-house sensitization program on proper waste management and plastic waste segregation and also solicited for community support to combat plastic pollution by distributing bin bags to 100 households within the community. The bin bags that were provided will be replaced when filled with plastic waste and will be sold to partner companies for recycling and upcycling.
Vivo Energy Ghana and United Way Ghana also donated 5 wheelbarrows, shovels and sweeping brushes to the school to ensure cleanliness in and around the school.
Executive Director of United Way Ghana, Mr. Felix Kissiedu – Addi in his remarks said “ the cleanup and community sensitisation exercise at the LAEnobal basic School is a testament to the power of collaboration. “We are grateful for the support of Vivo Energy Ghana in our mission to create a cleaner and healthier environment. By involving the pupils and employees from both companies, we believe we can inspire a generation of environmental stewards who will champion the cause for years to come”
Corporate Communications Manager for Vivo Energy Ghana, Ms. Shirley Tony Kum reiterated the importance of this partnership.“ As an energy company, we are committed to environmental stewardship. We believe that this is the way to go to protect the planet and to promote a secular economy. Unfortunately, all over the world, of about the 400 million tons of the plastics that we collect, only a portion is for single use but these plastics can be recycled into other products. I believe that there is more that we can do in terms of recycling of plastic waste and that is why Vivo Energy Ghana in partnership with United Way Ghana and our employees gathered in this joint effort to mark World Environment day to create awareness on plastic pollution.
Cecile – Astrid Wilson, a participant of the community sensitization exercise from Vivo Energy Ghana, shared her experience. “It was a very nice initiative, very educative and informative to the community around us and I think it should be kept up. Plastics and improper waste disposal have several adverse effects on our health so it is a good thing that we are teaching people how to properly manage their waste”.
Esther Torshie Obodai, a student of LA Enobal Basic School and a member of the environmental club, talked about how the club activities have benefitted the pupils of the school. “ We have learnt to practice personal hygiene, waste segregation and recycling of waste to prevent diseases and environmental hazards. We are grateful to United Way Ghana and Vivo Energy Ghana for all that they are doing for our school”.
The headteacher of the LA Enobal Basic School, Mr. Michael Odonkor also had these words “Our partnership with United Way Ghana and Vivo Energy Ghana has brought a lot of change and awareness in terms of sanitation and segregation of waste. We are so grateful that through the environmental club, the students are promoting environmental sustainability in our schools, the community and the nation at large.
