Five senior high schools in the Western Region participated in a groundbreaking competition, transforming waste materials found on their campuses into artistic treasures.
The “Trash to Treasure” event, held on June 8th, 2024, at Fijai Senior High School, is a project of the African Effectual Entrepreneurship Initiative (AEEI).
This collaborative project, spearheaded by the Social Entrepreneurship Hub in Takoradi through its Nnoboa Space initiative, the Society for Effectual Action, USA, and Scio Network, Germany, aimed to empower students to become champions of sustainability and the circular economy through effectual entrepreneurship. The event was supported by Genial Sozial, Germany.
Inspired by the work of Prof. Saras Sarasvathy, Paul M. Hammaker Professor of Business Administration at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, the competition challenged students to apply effectual logic—resourcefulness and creativity—to create artistic masterpieces from waste materials. The competition was a success, fostering environmental awareness and showcasing the incredible talent and innovative spirit of Ghana’s young minds.
Archbishop Porter Girls’ Senior High School emerged victorious, claiming the top prize for their inspiring creation. Ahantaman Girls’ Senior High School was the first runner-up, while St. John’s School took home the third prize. All participating schools, including Fijai Senior High School and St. Mary’s Boys’ Senior High School, displayed exceptional creativity and a deep commitment to sustainability, earning consolation prizes as well.
The African Effectual Entrepreneurship Initiative extends its heartfelt gratitude to the heads of the participating institutions, heads and teachers of the visual art departments in the participating schools, and most importantly, the students who made this inaugural event a resounding success.
Their dedication and ingenuity were instrumental in making this inaugural event successful. The next exciting phase of the project will see the AEEI expanding its reach, welcoming even more schools from across Ghana to join the “Trash to Treasure” challenge.
