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Involve children in waste segregation – SHEP Coordinator
The Eastern Regional Coordinator of School Health Education Programme (SHEP) of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Mr Godfried Caeser has stressed the need to teach children about waste segregation.
According to him, children’s involvement is waste segregation would not only earn the children income but helps the cause to keep the environment clean.
Mr Ceaser said this in an exclusive interview with The Spectator, after the inauguration of school health clubs formed in some selected schools in the Koforidua Municipality.
The clubs, purposed to be agents and ambassadors of waste segregation included RIIS Presbyterian Model Schools A, B and C, Koforidua Presbyterian Basic Schools A, B, E, and F, Koforidua Freeman Methodist Basic School A, and Adweso D/A Basic School.
Stakeholders involved in the initiative include Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Eastern Regional Environmental Protection Agency, Eastern Regional Environmental Health Department, Ghana Health Service, Ensign Global College, Kpone, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the University of Environment and Sustainable Development.
Explaining the involvement of school children in the fight against filth, Mr Caesar said a lot of waste were generated in the junior and senior high schools, adding that these waste was normally mixed up and dumped at sites in the schools and later burnt or left to rot.
Such practices, he indicated, rather pollutes the environment as its invites flies and other harmful insects,bringing about various diseases like cholera, among others, hence the need to teach pupils and children to reduce pollution and its impact on climate change.
Zoomlion presented dustbins, gloves, Veronica buckets and nose masks among others to the schools to help them in the waste segregation.
Mr Caeser stated that waste segregation was very fundamental in realising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Considering the SDGs on 6 on clean water and sanitation, Goal 13 on Climate Action, 14 on Life Below Water, and 15 on Life on Land, there was the need to engage in waste segregation to enable the country to reach the goals. Practicing waste segregation is important to achieve the goals by preventing pollution of the environment and water bodies.”
For his part, the Eastern Regional Environmental Health Officer, Mr Prince Kissi stated that waste management has become critical to dealing with management of school waste.
He added that the practice has always been group dumping, adding, the health problems associated with it was enormous, and revealed that waste management was not handled well in schools.
For her part, the Eastern Regional Coordinator of Zoomlion, Patricia Shardey said waste segregate was beneficial and pledged her outfit’s support for the laudable project.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
President John Dramani Mahama has visited the Akosombo Dam to assess the impact of a fire incident at a substation operated by the Ghana Grid Company.
The fire is reported to have caused the loss of more than 1,000 megawatts from the national power grid, affecting electricity supply in parts of the country.
During the visit, he inspected ongoing restoration works and received briefings from engineers on efforts to restore power. He commended them for what he described as a swift and professional response to the situation.
According to him, the government remains committed to restoring stable electricity supply as quickly as possible.
He added that steps are also being taken to strengthen the resilience of Ghana’s energy infrastructure to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Ghana Grid Company has not yet provided a detailed timeline for full restoration, but work is ongoing to bring affected systems back on stream.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana’s Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson, says he and his deputy have publicly filed their annual tax returns to demonstrate leadership and encourage compliance among citizens.
In a facebook post, he explained that the move was meant to show that public officials must lead by example when it comes to fulfilling civic duties.
“Leadership must be demonstrated, not declared,” he said.
He commended Ghanaian taxpayers for their continued contribution to national development, noting that tax compliance plays a key role in sustaining government activities.
According to him, paying taxes is both a legal and moral responsibility. He stressed that all citizens, including public officials, professionals, and businesses, are equal before the law and must meet their tax obligations.
He added that tax revenue is essential for funding key sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and security.
The minister praised the Ghana Revenue Authority for its work, especially during the ongoing Tax and Good Governance Month in April. He said the initiative helps to educate the public and promote voluntary compliance.
He urged the authority to intensify public education and continue reforms aimed at simplifying tax processes, reducing compliance costs, and improving transparency.
He further encouraged individuals and businesses that are yet to file their returns to do so promptly, adding that support systems and digital platforms are available to assist them.
He said building a strong tax culture would strengthen the country’s economy, improve accountability, and promote fairness in society.
By: Jacob Aggrey
