We are delighted to announce our recent partnership with Plan International in Ghana. Plan International is a development and humanitarian organization that advocates for children’s rights and equality for girls worldwide. With decades of experience in community development across more than 85 countries, including Ghana, the organization is well-positioned to make a significant impact. Our partnership with Plan International in Ghana has led to the formation of a 1-year joint project named "Stronger Together". In April 2024, the official kick-off took place in the community of Ashaiman in the Greater Accra Region, where the Safisana recycling plant is located, in the presence of key municipal representatives.
The primary objective of the Stronger Together project is to enhance the hygiene, economic, and environmental living conditions in Ashaiman. An urban community with over 250,000 residents on the outskirts of Ghana’s capital city, Accra. Both organizations are collaborating to engage the community through training and workshops. Emphasizing on safe sanitation, personal hygiene, best practices in waste management/recycling, and organic farming. These initiatives have a positive impact on people’s health, climate resilience, livelihoods, and food security.
Empowering women's and girls' rights
The Stronger Together project spearheads gender equality and social inclusion and places particular emphasis on empowering young women. “Traditional gender norms keep women and girls at home and prevent them from fully participating in society. But a sustainable solution to the overlapping climate, health, and livelihood crises in Ghana necessitates everyone involved”, says Garance Reus-Deelder, director of Plan International in the Netherlands. “Through our gender transformative approach, we empower young women to equally participate in creating sustainable impact.”
"Stronger Together"
Josephine Fiawornu, Sponsorship Manager at Plan International in Ghana, noted in a statement that the project targets 5,000 residents in Ashaiman. She emphasized that waste management has been a major issue in Ashaiman and Ghana generally. All stakeholders in the value chain must show commitment to the project's success. Through well-coordinated community engagements, the pilot project aims to generate innovative solutions that impact various sectors within the local economy. "Farmers, traders, truck operators, toilet users, schools, farmers, market vendors, formal and informal institutions, among others, are not be left out," she stated.
Daniel Agbenoto, the Project Manager of “Stronger Together”, highlighted that the pilot project takes an innovative approach. “We are setting up demo farming plots to engage farmers on the use of organic fertilizer to promote alternatives to chemical fertilizers. Making it as practical as possible. Other key project activities include training for youth, especially young women, in organic waste segregation, sustainability, and entrepreneurship skills development for young entrepreneurs,” he noted.
In a statement by the General Manager of Safisana Ghana, Elikplim Asilevi expressed excitement about collaborating with a renowned international NGO such as Plan International in Ghana. Through leveraging their knowledge and experience in community engagement we embed and expand the impact of Safisana's circular business model. He said: "After this project, which serves as a pilot, we will further explore the Stronger Together collaboration to support the expansion of our business across Ghana. Making lasting improvements on people’s wellbeing and living standards in non-sewered communities like Ashaiman."
Watch UTV's news item about the Stronger Together pilot launch
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Looking for more information about Plan International’s mission and activities of Plan International in Ghana? Read about the implementation of mechanized water systems, or about their advocacy for girls’ rights. For more articles on Safisana’s community engagement in Ashaiman, read Global Recycling Day 2024, World Toilet Day 2023 and Farmers Day 2023
