Accra: AbibiNsroma Foundation and the Tema Metro Education Directorate have launched a Plastic Litter Management Assessment programme in schools within the Tema Central Constituency to commemorate World Environment Day.
According to Ghana News Agency, the initiative is part of a broader effort to address plastic pollution, following this year's theme, 'Ending Plastic Pollution'. The programme is structured around fifteen specific indicators designed to evaluate how schools manage plastic usage to achieve Zero Plastic waste and enhance sanitation. These indicators include refuse separation, types of bins used, revenue from the sale of segregated plastics, other environmental initiatives, and signs of burning and recycling at the facilities.
The assessment team made unannounced visits to five selected schools, including Tema Technical Institute, Chemu Senior High, Tema Industrial Technical Vocational Institute, Presbyterian Senior High, and Methodist Day Senior High, to gather firsthand information on their plastic management practices. Mr. Robert Amiteye, Convenor of AbibiNsroma Foundation, highlighted the value of the exercise, stating it was an opportunity to observe the real state of environmental sanitation in these institutions. The team engaged with facilitators and learners to conduct the assessment through observations and interactive discussions.
The initiative will soon extend to Primary and Junior High School levels to further combat plastic litter. The assessment team included Mrs. Bernice Ofori, Tema Metro Director of Education, Lawyer Akua Obimpeh, Lawyer Henry Teitey Tetteh-Afi, the Senior High School Coordinator, and Madam Nancy Tetteh, the School Health Education Programme Coordinator. Other contributors included Madam Doris Gorman of the Tema Metro Information Services Department and Madam Erica Amoako-Attah of the National Youth Authority.
The assessors expressed satisfaction with the schools' commitment to managing plastic litter as a resource material. Mr. Amiteye emphasized the need for increased education on positive behavioral actions to improve sanitation, noting the ongoing challenge of inadequate plastic litter collection for recycling. He called on citizens to be more environmentally responsible. The assessment report will be shared with the schools to acknowledge and improve their performance.
World Environment Day, celebrated annually on June 5th, aims to raise awareness about environmental fragility and protective measures. This year's theme, 'Beat Plastic Pollution', underscores the urgency of addressing plastic waste challenges.
