The Ocean Clubs

Children and young people have what it takes to change their community when they’re seen and heard. This makes them a very positive tool in behavioural change activities. The Coastal Watch Project has established Ocean clubs in basic schools in the target region in Ghana. These club members are equipped with knowledge of plastic waste management, leadership, and confidence skill for them to serve as ambassadors in their communities. With the aid of the plastic pollution toolkit, they are guided on activities to engage in ocean protection education in the classroom and outdoors. Teachers from selected schools received training on the toolkit and project activities. The teachers were accompanied by a student who will serve as a club captain. Circuit supervisors and Municipal Directorate, and Key officers such as School Health and Environment Programme Coordinator, Physical Education Coordinator were not left out. Coastal Watch staff trained participants on the use of the training manual and toolkit, which are being implemented in selected schools. Participants were given shirts, and toolkits to facilitate school club activities.
The toolkit has been designed to stir up the audio-visual interest of pupils which will permit them to appreciate the ocean and understand the issues affecting it. Some lessons require the use of a projector, laptop, electricity, and an extension board. The project has a component where toys that depict marine animals, recycling tools and equipment, and games are exhibited under a tent on their school compound for the pupils to experience. To ensure effective management of school clubs, there has been the need to recruit volunteers from the community who were involved in training and visit to schools and support club coordinators.