By Agnes Ansah
Nyanyano (C/R), Feb. 17, GNA – More than 80 pupils at Nyanyano and its surrounding communities in the Gomoa East District of the Central Region have pledged to help the fight against plastic waste.
The pupils, drawn from four schools: the Great Ebenezer Memorial School, Makiel Education Complex, Sea Breeze Preparatory School and Perfect Bridge Academy, promised to educate and encourage the use of reusable bags instead of the single-use ones.
They made the pledge when Sankofa Second Cycle (SSC), a non-profit organisation, educated them on the effect of plastic pollution on the environment at a conference on Friday at Nyanyano.
Sankofa Second Cycle is an organisation that works in local schools in Ghana and beyond to ensure environmental responsibility.
Queenstar Eduful, a pupil from Perfect Bridge Academy, indicated that she would educate inhabitants of her community on the effect of indiscrimate disposal of waste.
“In my community, people throw rubbish anywhere because we do not have a dump site. But even though we do not have a dump site, I will still educate them to dispose of their waste well because when they do not do it well, it affects all of us,” she said.
Desmond Acquah, a pupil of Sea Breeze Preparatory School, said he would advise his peers and community members to return plastic bags, especially polythene, to traders after use as a way of curbing indiscrimate littering.
“The advice I will give to people who litter around is that anytime they do that, it affects us. So, when they buy something, which is in a tin, they can decide not to take the polythene bag or when they even take it, they should return it to the seller after bringing the items home,” he said.
Mr Godsway Tek, the Supervising Director, SSC, said his organisation’s vision was to create awareness on plastic pollution among young people and get them to join the fight at a tender age.
“We thought to embark on this conference as a means of educating the students on the dangers and side effects of plastic pollution, show them the opportunities in recycling and plastic waste management…” he said.
Mr Nathaniel Sagoe, plastic pollution advocate, who spoke to the Ghana News Agency, noted that plastics were designed for convenience, but awareness creation was key as they now posed great danger to society.
GNA