School Sanitation Challenge: Zoomlion Ghana, World Vision rewards innovative Young Sanitation champions

Mrs. Gloria Opoku-Anti, Managing Director of Zoomlion Ghana Ltd, has encouraged parents to support their children’s participation in extracurricular activities, citing benefits to creativity and environmental awareness.

Speaking at the grand finale of the 5th School Sanitation Solutions Challenge and the 3rd Children Sanitation Fair in Accra, Mrs. Opoku-Anti praised children’s innovative products that promote sustainability.

“Parents can support this venture by allowing their wards to participate in ZoomKids and other extracurricular activities,” she emphasized.

Zoomlion Foundation, the company’s corporate social responsibility arm, has been supporting education on environmental sanitation for five consecutive years. The foundation’s ZoomKids initiative has established over 400 school clubs across the country, teaching responsible sanitation practices.

Opoku-Anti expressed delight at the program’s progress, noting that children, including preschoolers, are showing increased interest and adherence to good sanitation practices.

Jenifer Boapeng, a Director at the Sanitation Ministry who represented Hon. Lydia Seyram Alhassan, the Sanitation and Water Resources Minister, reiterated the ministry’s commitment to addressing pressing sanitation issues in Ghana, emphasizing that sanitation is a shared responsibility.

“The responsibility is not laid solely on children, but on all of us to reflect on how to improve sanitation,” the minister stated.

World Vision Ghana’s National Director, Laura Cristina Del Valle, emphasized the importance of access to safe water, improved sanitation, and hygiene for children’s well-being.

As an organization, World Vision’s vision is for every child to live “life in all its fullness,” and they believe that WASH services are crucial to achieving this goal.

According to Del Valle, this motivation drives World Vision to prioritize and promote sustainable WASH services in various settings, including communities, households, schools, healthcare facilities, and public places.

World Vision’s commitment to WASH is part of its broader mission to improve child well-being.

The organization focuses on eight key objectives, including Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH).

The School Sanitation Solutions Challenge (Triple S), launched in May, aimed to encourage children to cultivate interest in environmental sanitation, influence children to become sanitation-conscious agents of change. Also to build capacity for children to co-create sustainable sanitation solutions.

Sanitation Diplomat

The 5th School Sanitation Solutions Challenge came to a thrilling conclusion, with four outstanding students emerging as top winners.

Abdul Yazid Farah Timtoni Wumbei (14yrs) with 55 points- took home the first prize, consisting of GH¢6,000, a desktop computer for his school, and a remarkable opportunity to travel for a study tour focused on sanitation projects.

Esi Abakah Owusu with 54 points, secured the second position, winning GH¢4,000 and a Samsung tablet among other prizes.

Candy Nana Adwoa Okwan (41.5 points) – Claimed the third spot, receiving a Galaxy tablet and a GH¢3,000 cash prize.

Christina Sefakor Sedenkor (38.5 points) – Earned the fourth position, taking home a Samsung tablet and GH¢2,000, accompanied by a desktop computer and waste bins.

Zoomlion Ghana’s ongoing efforts and initiatives and support for the School Sanitation Solutions Challenge demonstrate the company’s dedication to promoting environmental sustainability and community development.