ELS: MBN360 EDUCATION
In a bid to encourage young people to adopt the principles of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (3Rs) as practical steps towards building a cleaner environment and a more sustainable future, the Korea Alumni Association of Ghana (KAAG), in partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), has organised an environmental awareness and recycling outreach programme for students of Accra Academy Senior High School in Accra.
The progamme which is aimed at promoting sustainable waste management practices among the students, was under the theme “Let’s RE-think Our Waste!”
The initiative seeks to equip students with practical knowledge on waste reduction, creative ways of reusing everyday items and effective recycling practices, while inspiring them to become environmental champions within their schools, homes and communities.
Environmental pollution, poor waste management and the increasing challenge of plastic waste continue to pose significant threats to public health and sustainable development in Ghana. As schools remain key centres for shaping the attitudes and behaviours of young people, environmental education programmes are being promoted to encourage students to adopt sustainable practices that can influence their communities.
The Headmaster of Accra Academy Senior High School, Eric Ebo Sey, described the outreach as timely, noting that, environmental protection has become a shared global responsibility. He said the partnership between Ghana and the Republic of Korea demonstrates that environmental challenges transcend national boundaries and require collective efforts.
Mr. Sey encouraged students to take the lessons to be learnt seriously, participate actively, ask questions and transform the knowledge acquired into lifelong habits that will help protect the environment for future generations.
The President of the Korea Alumni Association of Ghana, Lovia Afoakwa, said the outreach was designed to inspire students to become responsible environmental stewards through proper waste management and recycling. She explained that, environmental challenges, especially plastic pollution, require everyone’s involvement, stressing that individual actions, no matter how small, contribute to creating a healthier and more sustainable environment.
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She encouraged students to embrace the principles of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, reminding them that the choices they make today can have a lasting impact on the future. Ms. Afoakwa also expressed appreciation to KOICA for its continued support towards Ghana’s development and thanked the management of Accra Academy for partnering with KAAG to organise the initiative.
Adding her voice, the Vice President of the Korea Alumni Association of Ghana, Arc. Josephine Kpesese, urged students to take ownership of environmental protection by making responsible choices in their daily lives. She stressed the importance of starting environmental consciousness at an early age, noting that young people have a critical role to play in influencing positive change in their schools and communities.
The KOICA Country Director, Donghyun Lee, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to investing in people through education and community development. He said protecting the environment begins with simple daily decisions, including how waste is disposed of, whether recyclable materials are reused and how surroundings are maintained.
Mr. Lee encouraged students to develop environmentally friendly habits, emphasizing that meaningful progress can only be achieved when individuals and communities work together to protect the planet.
The programme featured practical sessions on reducing daily waste, creative ways of reusing everyday items and best practices for effective recycling.
Students also participated in an environmental awareness lecture delivered by Alfred K. Dadzie Wilson, a hands-on recycling demonstration facilitated by Frank Sekyere, and an interactive quiz competition.
Winners of a quiz competition received prizes and educational materials, while KAAG and KOICA donated sanitation tools to Accra Academy to strengthen cleanliness and proper waste disposal and management within the school.
