The Ghana alumni of a non-governmental and not-for-profit organisation entirely run by youth for youth, AIESEC, has officially launched the SWAP 6 Initiative, a sanitation and water action project, aimed at promoting clean water access, improved sanitation practices, and environmental responsibility among students and communities across Ghana.
Founded in 1948, AIESEC is a global platform for young people to develop their leadership potential through practical experiences of many kinds, including internships, volunteering opportunities and more.
The project, a year-long programme initiative, is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6.
The event, held at the Accra Wesley Methodist Cathedral Hall, brought together students, educators, government representatives, traditional authorities, development partners and community stakeholders, all united behind a shared commitment to SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation for All.
Notable attendees included the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Odododiodio Constituency, Nii Lante Ashie Kotey; Togbe Ghana, Founder of Let’s Go Clean the Beach; Dr Alfred Dodoo of the Ga Mashie Development Agency; Gasmilla; representatives from the Zoomlion Foundation; Madam Faustina Boachie of Ghana Water Company Ltd.; and members of the Ga Mantse Foundation Education Committee.
Their presence underscored the importance of cross-sector collaboration in addressing Ghana’s water and sanitation challenges.
Also, learners from the John Wesley Methodist Basic School, Derby Avenue Roman Catholic Basic School, St. Mary’s Anglican Basic School, Akoto Lante Basic School, Amamomo Basic School and Richard Akwei Memorial Basic School were also present.
A highlight of the launch was a live waste segregation demonstration by students, supported by industry partners, reinforcing the value of experiential learning in creating lasting change.
Poor sanitation
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Ga Mantse Traditional Council, a representative drew attention to the growing sanitation concerns within the Ga Mashie community, noting that choked gutters and poor waste disposal habits have become a pervasive challenge.
He stressed that these conditions are largely driven by everyday behaviours, including improper disposal of waste from homes and public spaces, and that indiscriminate littering was contributing significantly to flooding during the rainy season.
He called on individuals and communities to take ownership of proper waste disposal and environmental cleanliness.
The MP for Odododiodio echoed this urgency, emphasising that access to clean and safe water was not a luxury but a public health necessity.
Mr Kotey commended the collaborative spirit behind the initiative and called for sustained implementation efforts that went beyond launches to deliver real, long-term impact.
Ambassadors of sanitation
The President of AIESEC Alumni Ghana, Mercy Nana Mensah, emphasised that SWAP 6 was designed not as a one-time intervention, but as a sustained programme that empowered young people to become ambassadors of sanitation and environmental responsibility within their schools and communities.
Ms Mensah said the initiative targeted basic and junior high school students and promoted behavioural change through three core activities: an essay competition, a skit performance challenge and a school waste innovation and composting challenge.
Each activity is designed to encourage critical thinking, creativity and responsible environmental habits.
She noted that by engaging students through practical, hands-on activities, the initiative aimed to build lifelong habits that would contribute to cleaner and healthier communities across Ghana.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh