World Vision, others host 2024 Triple-S challenge
By Zeenatu ABUBAKAR, Accra
NON-GOVERNMENTAL Organisation, World Vision Ghana, in collaboration with various partners have hosted the second semi-final of the 5th School Sanitation Solutions (Triple-S) Challenge 2024.
The Challenge seeks to focus on the southern sector and foster youth involvement in environmental sanitation efforts across the country.
The contest, which was launched on May 22, 2024, began with a nationwide call for entries through platforms such as the Junior Graphic.
Thousands of students across the country responded, submitting essays that were reviewed by examiners.
Out of the entries, the top five participants from each of the competition’s zones were selected
The first Masters Encounter was held in Sunyani and focused on participants from the five northern regions and the Cocoa Zone, which includes Ashanti, Eastern, Bono East, and Ahafo regions.
Two finalists were selected from each zone.
The second Masters Encounter, was concluded in Accra, selected finalists from the remaining zones, including the Coconut and Tilapia zones.
The four finalists now proceed to the grand finale scheduled for September 23, 2024, at the National Theatre in Accra.
The nine students who participate in the second Masters Encounter were awarded with certificate, cashprice and note pad.
The WASH Technical Specialist at World Vision Ghana Yaw Attah Arhin, said School Sanitation Solutions Challenge is a response to a certain missing link that has been identified in the programme to improve sanitation, which is the limited participation of children in providing solutions.
He indicated that his outfit established the challenge to cultivate a keen interest in environmental sanitation among children and to build their capacity to co-create sustainable solutions to the challenges around the country.
According to him the winner will be named the “Child Sanitation Diplomat” and will receive support to implement a one-year sanitation project across the country
He added that the project will involve advocacy, peer sensitization, media engagements, school and community visits, and more.
He noted that the importance of the title “Diplomat” over “Ambassador,” explaining that the expectation is that the winner will actively advocate for improved sanitation, influence their peers, shape policy, and contribute positively to environmental sanitation efforts wherever they find themselves.
“We expect the winner will indeed be a diplomat when it comes to improved sanitation, capable of advocating, influencing peers, and promoting positive change to improve sanitation in the country,” he explained World Vision Ghana partnered with Kings Hall Media Limited, the Ghana Education Service, the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, GAMA Sanitation and Water Project (SWP), and Zoomlion Foundation.
