Zoomlion Ghana Limited, the leading private waste management company, on Friday launched the Ashalley Botwe branch of the "Zoom Kids" club to equip the children to become ambassadors of good sanitation and clean environment.
The initiative, the first of its kind, is geared towards ensuring that children become conversant with good sanitation practices as they grow and be trained as peer educators.
They will in turn train their colleagues on the need to acquire good sanitation habits and exhibit lifestyles that will not degrade the environment.
Last year, three schools in the Greater Accra Region - Sakumono 1 and 2 Junior High Schools, Kokomlemle and Nima Cluster of Schools - were used as starters.
The initiative, which is being undertaken in collaboration with Life Bridge 68 Foundation, a non-governmental organization, is under the theme, "Keep Ghana Clean: Catch Them Young."
Mr Adu Asare, Member of Parliament for Adenta West Constituency, who launched the club at the Ashalley Botwe Cluster of Schools, said using children as an agent of change to promote a coordinated behaviour between individuals and among organisations will result in consistency in the management of waste.
He expressed concern that though Ghanaians wanted to be healthy, they have failed to realise that a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, did not happen by chance but was rather "earned through well calculated and consistent efforts based on beliefs and values".
He said the basic problem with environment was waste management, its disposal and how society regarded those who disposed of wastes and urged parents to play their role by teaching their children waste management.
Ms Yaa Dansowaa Ampofo, Marketing Officer of Zoomlion, said awareness on sanitation issues were high, but lacked a behavioural change, hence, the collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to educate the public on changing their attitudes.
"It is our hope that these children will also serve as agents of change in their communities to educate their friends and parents to desist from engaging in activities that will pollute our environment."
Ms Ampofo said the initiative would soon be extended to the Volta, Eastern and Ashanti Regions.