Academic City and Prudential Life Transform Plastic Waste into Desks for Ghanaian Schools

Academic City University and Prudential Life Insurance Ghana have collaborated to convert plastic waste into 100 eco-friendly desks for Gbegbeyise Basic School in Greater Accra, as part of their commitment to sustainability. The initiative, supported by McKingtorch Africa, involved Academic City students and aligns with the university’s Sustain City program, which encourages students to address environmental challenges.

The desks were created by collecting plastic waste and processing it with a specialized machine, developed in partnership with a U.S. university, that transforms waste into reusable materials. This prevents environmental harm while providing practical solutions for communities.

At the handover ceremony, Peter Edem Adjei, Chief Operations Officer of Prudential Life, highlighted the project’s roots in a workplace waste segregation program that grew into a partnership with Academic City. “We started this project as a simple waste segregation programme in our office… We partnered with Academic City University to transform the plastic waste into something useful — hence the plastic recycled desks,” he said, underscoring Prudential’s dedication to community upliftment and environmental protection.

Tanko Mohammed, Director of Programme Management at Academic City, praised the collaboration, stating, “Education and sustainability go hand in hand. By investing in both, we are investing in the future of Ghana. These desks were made from recycled plastic that could have polluted our streets and water bodies.” He emphasized the project’s demonstration of teamwork and environmental stewardship.

Teachers and pupils at Gbegbeyise Basic School expressed gratitude for the timely donation, noting that the desks provide comfortable seating while raising awareness about environmental conservation. The initiative showcases how academic-industry partnerships can address societal and environmental challenges, creating a lasting impact in Ghana.

Source: African Publicity