Nabeeha and Afua Triumph in 2026 Triple-S Challenge Southern Sector Semi-Finals

Accra: Two Junior High School pupils from Accra and Elmina have emerged winners of the Southern sector semi-finals of the 2026 Schools Sanitation Solution (Triple-S) Challenge. The two students, Afua Agyeibea Arch from Bethany Methodist School in the Ayawaso West Municipality of the Greater Accra Region, and Nabeeha Sulemana Atiah from Elmina Methodist Junior High School in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Municipality of the Central Region, will advance to the grand finale of the competition. According to Ghana News Agency, Afua claimed victory in the Tilapia Zone, which includes the Greater Accra, Volta, and Oti regions, with a score of 71 points. Nabeeha emerged as the winner in the Coconut Zone, covering the Central, Western, and Western North regions, with 83 points. Both winners will represent their zones in the 'Battle of Champions,' the grand finale scheduled for September. They will join Northern Sector winners Candi Dasanah Mwinimaloo from Star of God RC JHS in Wa, representing the Shea Zone, and Dede Nhyira Nyarko from Nkawkaw St Anthony RC JHS in the Eastern Region, representing the Cocoa Zone. Each contestant in the semi-finals received GHS1,000 and a certificate, while the zone winners received GHS1,500, certificates, and souvenirs. The overall winner of the competition will be titled the Child Sanitation Diplomat and will receive support to implement sanitation projects. The seventh edition of this annual competition is organized by World Vision Ghana (WVG) in collaboration with Kings Hall Media Limited, Ghana Education Service, the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, GAMA-SWP, and Zoomlion Foundation. Open to pupils from Primary Six to Junior High Two, the competition attracted over 1,000 entries nationwide. This year's challenge required contestants to propose solutions to the country's sanitation issues, particularly plastic waste. Mr. Yaw Atta Arhin, the WASH Technical Specialist at WVG, stated the program aims to empower children to address sanitation challenges, as they are s ignificantly affected by poor sanitation. The program's objectives include fostering children's interest in environmental sanitation, making them sanitation-conscious change agents, building their capacity to create sustainable solutions, and empowering them to advocate for improved sanitation. Mr. Thomas Narh Korley, the Head of the Zoomlion Foundation, highlighted the foundation's support for school sanitation programs through educational activities, logistics, clean-up exercises, and recycling campaigns. He emphasized the importance of involving pupils in sanitation decisions, as children are more likely to use facilities that reflect their needs and preferences. Mr. Stephen Ntow, Director of WASHealth Solutions and Chairman of the panel of judges, praised the contestants for their courage and confidence but stressed the importance of providing accurate and up-to-date information for sanitation advocacy. He advised parents and teachers to regularly verify information before sharing it with children. Sin ce 2018, WVG and its partners have engaged schoolchildren in sanitation campaigns, encouraging them to identify community problems and propose sustainable solutions. The program also aims to promote access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services in communities, households, schools, and healthcare facilities, while encouraging children to positively influence their peers, families, and communities.