UEW Partners SHAPE Attitude Ghana to Intensify Sanitation Sensitisation on Campus
Management of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) on Tuesday, 2nd March, 2021, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a non-governmental not-for-profit organisation, SHAPE Attitude Ghana at the Council Chamber, North Campus, UEW.
The MoU intended to formalise the partnership between UEW and SHAPE Attitude Ghana in achieving a litter free status on UEW campuses. The agreement empowers both institutions to intensify sensitisation and awareness campaigns on UEW campuses to change the mindset of the students and enable them to adopt a positive attitude towards environmental cleanliness.
The Vice-Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Prof. Anthony Afful-Broni, in his opening remarks, expressed deep worry about the poor sanitation attitude of many Ghanaians. He, therefore, indicated that the MoU was very dear to his heart.
“I want to congratulate all of you who have agreed to be part of this partnership to help us to set up something that would be a sign of hope for this nation and this world. This is because we are destroying our environment. Anybody my age or even younger will tell you that the world has become much warmer and that everybody now needs an air conditioner because it is hot.
"And so, those who think that global warming is a political gimmick are just joking. Global warming is a reality and we have caused it. So, this is an attempt in our own little way to retrieve mother earth and to save mother earth for ourselves and the future,” Rev. Fr. Prof. Afful-Broni said.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, Management would ensure that the sanitation taskforce works towards a litter-free environment. “It’s my prayer that this University which is a Centre of Excellence, will continue to extend itself through something concrete like SHAPE Attitude Ghana and so, we are committed to that Mr. Ghartey. Mr. Ghartey, I want to assure you that we would work towards a litter-free environment,” he averred.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), SHAPE Attitude Ghana, Mr. Wonderful Baisie Ghartey, on his part, recounted the history of SHAPE Attitude’s collaboration with UEW. “The University in 2019 and 2020 granted us the use of Jophus Anamuah-Mensah Conference Centre pro-bono. This otherwise would have cost us about GH₵ 14,000.00. So, the signing of the MoU should be seen as a continuation of our collaboration but in a more inclusive way to bring the entire University community on board”.
The CEO of SHAPE Attitude Ghana implored members of the taskforce to focus on the achievement of results and not to look up to any material or financial gains in the performance of their duties.
“I expect that by the end of this academic year, UEW will be a litter-free community and a place where no one litters. Although it sounds too ambitious, we would succeed in changing the mindset of most of the students on environmental cleanliness.
“Mr. Vice-Chancellor, it is my candid opinion that we can achieve this if we are guided by two major principles namely, commitment and discipline. If we are committed, we will show determination to achieve results regardless of the challenges. If we are disciplined, we will respect time for meetings and the delivery of outputs. If we are committed, we would be seen to be providing solutions rather than impediments that will slow down activities,” Mr. Ghartey stated.
Also in attendance were the Ag. Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Andy Ofori-Birikorang; Registrar, Surv. Paul Osei-Barima Esq.; Principal, College of Languages Education, Ajumako Campus, Prof. Dominic Kwaku Danso Mensah; Director of Education, Effutu Municipal Assembly, Mrs. Mabel Judith Micah; Deans, Directors, Heads of Department, representatives of SRC and GRASAG, and members of the taskforce.
