Recently, I made a visit to the Adansi East District Assembly regarding a water treatment project. After an interactive discussion with the Environmental Health Unit at the local government office, the office declared their intention on supporting the project since most of the villages within the district. I was also notified that, the name of the district has been changed to Adansi South District Assembly following a recent changes made within the region.

I. Second visit to Adansi East District

In my discussion with the unit, they emphasized mostly on littering and open defecation as a common practice of the children and some adults in the district. The district capital inhabits over 2,800 people and has only a few (poorly structured) toilet facilities with few households having a toilet structure in their homes. On littering, the Environmental Health Officer stressed that, the district has a large dump site and has made all necessary provisions for waste collection however, community folks just dispose their waste inappropriately.

Following that discussion, the water treatment proposal was welcomed but the environmental health office made it known to me that they do not have adequate resources to support the water treatment project. In view of this, I agreed as an eco-generation ambassador to collaborate with the district assembly and run free public education on littering and open defecation.

This public education will commence with educational institutions in the district capital – which has five elementary and junior high schools plus 2 senior high schools. The total number of children and youth expected to receive education on health and environmental implications of open defecation and littering is estimated around 1,200. Due to the academic calendar of the institutions, most of the schools are preparing for their end of term exams and afterwards, Christmas vacation. Due to this, the environmental education programme is proposed to commence early next year when the various schools resume from vacation. This also provides me with an ample time to organize the project successfully.

The objective of this programme is to enlighten youth and kids on the health effects of open defecation and littering. The harm it causes to some sensitive organisms and habitats in our ecosystems. At the end, it is expected that children and youth will influence their parents and elders on such unfriendly environmental health practices and can boldly abstain from these practices.

To ensure that this programme is carried out effectively, letters will be distributed to some few environmental groups to join us carry out this activity and I hope for their positive response. Ultimately, I count on the full support of eco-generation to provide us with souvenirs and other materials needed for the successful inclusion of all age groups in this education programme. Thank you. 

          II. I LOVE TUNZA ECO-GENERATION