Ghana's Future: Builsa North students tackle plastic pollution with NCCE

The Builsa North Municipal Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) observed World Environment Day on Thursday, June 5th, with an event held at the Sandema Preparatory School. The global initiative, championed by the United Nations, aims to raise awareness and inspire action for environmental protection. This year’s theme was “Ending Plastic Pollution.”

The event was attended by students from Sandema Preparatory, Success International, and Ayieta Junior High Schools. Mr. Jeffery Adda, the Municipal Director of the NCCE, delivered the welcome address, emphasizing the importance of education and civic awareness in developing future leaders.

Mr. Adda highlighted the critical issue of plastic pollution in Ghana, noting that the country generates an estimated 840,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually, with only about 9.5% collected for recycling. He stated that rapid urbanization, industrialization, and changing consumption patterns have exacerbated Ghana’s waste management challenges, leading to widespread environmental contamination primarily from disposable packaging and low-grade products.

The NCCE is actively participating in this global campaign by empowering Ghanaian children and youth as “civic champions of environmental stewardship.” This initiative aligns with the theme of this year’s Citizenship Week Celebrations, “Ghana’s future: the role of the Ghanaian Child.”

As part of its environmental education efforts, the NCCE is engaging children in discussions on sanitation and responsible plastic use to encourage lasting lifestyle changes. Students are being introduced to the “3Rs—Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle” and are being taught the significance of waste segregation at home and school. Pupils were encouraged to be active agents of change, influencing positive behavioural changes within their families and among their peers.

The event’s objectives included raising public awareness about the dangers of plastic pollution and the 3Rs, engaging schoolchildren in creative environmental initiatives, promoting sustainable waste management behaviors, and strengthening civic education clubs as platforms for advocacy.

A key highlight of the commemoration was an environmental protection competition judged by Mr. Nicholas Adala and Madam Juliana Adiak. The judges scored participants on creativity, teamwork, impact, engagement, delivery, and exceptionality.

Sandema Preparatory initiated the demonstrations with a drama showcasing the practical application of the reduce, reuse, and recycle concepts, also illustrating the impact of environmental pollution on farm animals and livestock and its socio-economic consequences for communities. Success JHS dramatized the adverse health impacts of environmental pollution and its effect on living standards, contrasting families with different sanitation lifestyles to highlight the severe consequences of global warming and health complications from contaminated products. Ayieta Preparatory presented two poems, one depicting the environmental impact of human actions and another offering messages of hope and motivation for environmental protection.

In the competition, Success International emerged first with 86%, followed by Sandema Preparatory with 77% (2nd), and Ayieta JHS with 51% (3rd). All participating schools received certificates. Mr. Nicholas Adala presented the certificate to Ayieta JHS, while Madam Juliana Adiak presented to Sandema Preparatory. The NCCE director presented the certificate to the winners, Success JHS.

Judges reaffirmed the event’s theme, emphasizing individual contributions to the current state of the environment and inviting everyone to be a catalyst for a cleaner, healthier community. Remarks were also made by a representative from CAMA, Builsa North, Madam Juliana Akangwanati, who stressed the partnership with the NCCE and the significance of World Environment Day, highlighting the consequences of poor sanitation. The event concluded with closing remarks and appreciation from the NCCE director to all stakeholders involved.

Source: modernghana , radiobuilsa.fistrad.org