Vivo Energy Ghana in partnership with the United Way Ghana has launched the first-ever Vivo Energy Environmental Club under its umbrella initiative, Cyclean, to promote environmental sustainability in schools. 

The initiative, which is in line with the Vivo Energy Sustainability Framework, seeks to inculcate the habit of good environmental practices among pupils. When given the right tools to learn and grow, there is no doubt that children will become active participants in the government’s efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12 - target 12.5 of substantially which is about reducing waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse.

The Vivo Energy Environmental Club's programme consists of different layers to reach this goal. First, we educate children on the right way to collect waste and dispose of it. Then, they are given the tools to recycle waste and use it to beautify their school. This ignites their creativity and give them a space to express themselves. And lastly, we donate the cleaning tools, handwashing facilities and other toiletries to ensure they thrive in a safe and secure environment. The life cycle of this programme represents the Vivo Energy Ghana way of operating. Doing business the right way by putting safety first and always trying to offer a circular solution that will last longer. 

The programme is critical to Vivo Energy Ghana as it forms part of the company’s overall business efforts to support the achievement of the 2030 SDGs Agenda by investing in the communities where it operates and working with successive governments to support the development of these communities. The Human Resources Manager of Vivo Energy Ghana, Mrs Mercy Amoah stated this in her remarks during the launch of the Club at the La Enobal School in the La Dade-Kotopon Municipality. She acknowledged that “creating public awareness and educating people, especially children, on how to preserve the environment is the foundation for a sustainable world for us and future generations". 

As the main implementers of the programme, the Executive Director of United Way Ghana, Mr Felix Kissiedu also expressed his excitement at the launch of the programme and said it will provide the opportunity for pupils to be engaged in lessons and green activities, facilitated by teachers trained with a multi-stakeholder validated Ghana Education Service (GES) curriculum and relevant learning materials. He added “Over the initial period of one academic year, our pupils from La Enobal Basic School will have the opportunity to expand their eco-consciousness and gain knowledge about the environment, help to solve local environmental problems, learn about green technology and compete in Environmental Club Competitions”.

The Municipal Director of Education of the La Dade-Kotopon Municipality, Madam Habiba Kotomah, was full of praise for Vivo Energy and United Way Ghana for selecting the La Enobal School as the first to benefit from this initiative. “This programme is one that we have always yearned to initiate in the schools within this municipality, and I am tremendously excited about the launch of this important programme which I hope and know will transform not just individual lives but the community as well,” she said. 

There is still a long way to go to provide our children with all the necessary facilities to grow happily such as washing facilities or stationary. But thanks to the continuous support from the government, United Way Ghana and programme like the Vivo Energy Environmental Club, we are one step closer to enabling the nation’s greatest potential.