Chaint Afrique joined the global call to action for ocean protection with a transformative community engagement at Anomabo, Central Region, under the World Ocean Day theme “Sustaining What Sustains Us.”
The program organized in partnership with Access Bank Ghana brought together community leaders, women’s groups, and local artisans to confront two pressing issues: marine plastic pollution and limited livelihood opportunities for coastal women.
What began as a simple workshop evolved into a powerful movement proving that sustainability starts with small, intentional acts and that empowered women can lead the way in protecting our planet’s blue heart.
The initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 5, 12, 13, and 14 promoting gender equality, responsible consumption, climate action, and life below water.
From Waste to Wealth
Opening the event, Nana Sankah, Chief Fisher of Anomabo, commended Chaint and Access Bank for their effort in merging sustainability with economic empowerment. Ransford Sackey, representing Chaint Afrique, emphasized the urgency of reducing marine pollution through community-driven, gender-responsive approaches like the NetCycle Project, which focuses on recycling abandoned fishing gear.
Mrs. Elikplim Glover who is a circular economy practitioner and trainer, guided our participants (22 females) through practical workshops using corn husks, sachet plastics, bottles, and old paper to craft mats, stools, and recycled sheets.
The highlight of the day was a hands-on recycling workshop led by Mrs. Elikplim Glover, where women learned to:
- Transform waste paper into new products through mashing and drying techniques
- Create mats and mini-bags using corn husks and discarded plastic sachets
- Build stools from waste bottles and foam materials
Building Financial Confidence
Beyond the creative workshops, Access Bank Ghana’s team, led by Mrs. Perpetual Howard and Ms. Augustina Bukaril, engaged the women in sessions on financial literacy and savings culture. Mrs. Howard encouraged participants to see financial empowerment as a key part of sustainability. This reaffirms the bank’s commitment to sustainability and women’s empowerment, urging participants to embrace both practical skills and sound financial habits.
A Ripple Effect on Motion
Looking ahead, Chaint Afrique plans to scale up the model to reach 1,000 coastal women by 2026, expanding training programs along Ghana’s coastline. The vision is clear: empower women, clean the oceans, and build a thriving circular economy from the shore up.
Join us in driving Ghana’s coastal sustainability movement.
Support Chaint Afrique’s community recycling and women empowerment initiatives through partnerships, donations, or volunteering.
Together, we can sustain what sustains us.
Visit www.chaint.org to learn more and get involved.
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