The Alliance for Sustainability Education (ASEc) recently hosted a two-day workshop under the Plastic Footprint Reduction Project (PFRP), a program designed to cultivate young sustainability leaders within the Accra Metropolitan Area. The initiative gathered 21 sustainability club leaders from Richard Akwei Memorial Basic School, Amamomo 1&2 JHS, and John Wesley Methodist Basic School.
The workshop provided foundational knowledge on sustainability and hands-on skills, preparing these student leaders to actively promote eco-friendly practices in their schools and communities.
On the first day, students explored foundational topics, starting with an in-depth look at sustainability and climate change. This session highlighted what sustainability entails and why environmental stewardship is vital in addressing the plastic waste crisis. The project technical lead also introduced the purpose and mission of a sustainability club, emphasizing how such clubs can serve as platforms for students to foster change and awareness among their peers.
The workshop exposed the club leaders to the significance of their roles as club leaders, where they learned how to lead by example in promoting waste reduction, particularly through recycling and reuse initiatives.
The day’s discussions included the “5 R’s of Recycling” (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, and Recycle) to instill practical habits that students could implement daily. Concluding Day 1, the students engaged in discussions on teamwork, with trainers highlighting how collaboration is crucial to amplifying their impact within their schools and communities.
The second day focused on developing practical skills that would enable students to effectively plan, organize, and implement sustainability initiatives. Trainers guided students through the basics of action planning, using the SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to set clear and achievable goals for their sustainability clubs.
Through interactive sessions, students brainstormed ideas for impactful projects, including school campaigns to reduce single-use plastics and raise awareness about eco-friendly alternatives. They learned about organizing campaigns with limited resources by leveraging non-financial tools, such as creating posters, conducting classroom visits, and hosting assemblies to reach a broader audience.
To cap off the workshop, the club leaders participated in an inspiring activity where they wrote personal pledges to lead sustainable practices in their schools and communities. This exercise fostered a sense of responsibility and commitment among the young leaders, who left with newfound enthusiasm to drive environmental action. Joshua Obeng, Project Lead, remarked, “Empowering these young leaders is a step towards creating a sustainable culture in our schools. Through initiatives like this, we aim to build a community that understands the importance of reducing plastic waste and takes active steps toward a healthier environment.”
This workshop marked a pivotal step for ASEc’s Plastic Footprint Reduction Project, reinforcing the importance of environmental education and the power of youth leadership. As sustainability clubs launch across the participating schools, these trained leaders are poised to initiate a ripple effect of change, inspiring eco-conscious behaviors and fostering a greener Accra for future generations.
