7th School Sanitation Solutions Challenge launched to inspire young sanitation ambassadors

The 7th School Sanitation Solutions Challenge (Triple S), an initiative aimed at nurturing children into sanitation-conscious ambassadors of change and encouraging them to develop sustainable solutions to sanitation challenges in schools, communities, and public spaces, has been launched in Accra.

The challenge is organised by World Vision Ghana and Kings Hall Media in partnership with the Ghana Education Service, the Zoomlion Foundation, and other stakeholders to empower schoolchildren to contribute practical solutions to Ghana's sanitation challenges.

The essay topic for this year's competition focuses on promoting behavioural change to improve sanitation in Ghana. Participants are expected to respond to the question:

"Ghana's sanitation situation is generally poor. Meanwhile, sustained behaviour change among citizens has been identified as the ingredient required to address the country's poor sanitation situation. As the Child Sanitation Diplomat, what practical recommendations will you make to achieve behaviour change towards improved sanitation in Ghana?"

The challenge was officially launched by the Deputy Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, Mrs Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, who represented the sector minister during the 5th Executive Breakfast Conversation in Accra.

The breakfast meeting was held on the theme, "Sanitation as a Key Performance Indicator for MMDCEs and the Role of Relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies: Prospects, Opportunities, and Constraints."

The event was organised by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs in collaboration with sector agencies, World Vision Ghana, the Media Coalition Against Open Defecation (M CODe), and the Ghana WASH Journalists Network, which served as the main media partners.

The Director General of the National Development Planning Commission, Dr Audrey Smock Amoah, chaired the programme, while the Minister for Labour, Jobs, and Employment, Dr Rachid Pelpuo, attended as the special guest.

Addressing participants, Mrs Odoley Sowah underscored the importance of investing in children to promote lasting behavioural change in sanitation practices.

She said, “If Ghana wants cleaner communities tomorrow, then the nation must invest in sanitation-conscious children today and help our young people understand that sanitation is not only about cleanliness.

“It is about responsibility, citizenship, protecting public health and safeguarding the future.”

The Deputy Minister praised the impact of previous editions of the Triple S Challenge, noting that participating pupils had demonstrated creativity, innovation, and a deep understanding of sanitation issues affecting their communities.

She encouraged teachers and parents to support pupils throughout the competition.

She urged them to “take interest in the ideas their children develop, and to our pupils, I say never underestimate the value of your ideas and never assume that you are too young to make a difference.”

The World Vision Ghana WASH Technical Specialist, Mr Yaw Attah Arhin, said the competition provides children with a platform to propose practical solutions to Ghana's sanitation challenges.

He explained that pupils from Primary Six to Junior High School Two (JHS 2) in all 16 regions are eligible to participate.

The competition is organised into four geographical zones. The Cocoa Zone comprises Ashanti, Eastern, Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo regions. The Shea Zone includes the North East, Savannah, Upper East, Upper West, and Northern regions.

The Tilapia Zone covers Greater Accra, Volta, and Oti regions, while the Coconut Zone comprises the Central, Western, and Western North regions.

Following the first essay stage, five contestants from each zone will qualify for the Masters Encounter. The winner from each zone will then advance to the Battle of Champions Grand Finale.