A community revolution: The Buz Stop Boys cleaning up Accra

In Ghana, a group of young volunteers, the "Buz Stop Boys", are fighting pollution with brooms and shovels, cleaning up the streets of Accra and inspiring a wave of civic responsibility across the country. Their story, amplified by social media, demonstrates how grassroots action can generate significant impact and contribute to a more sustainable future

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It is an era of apathy and indifference, but, taking center stage in the streets of Accra, Ghana‘s bustling capital, is a wave of energy and commitment. At the forefront are young people wielding brooms and shovels backed with civic principles. Otherwise known as the Buz Stop Boys, they have adopted a more impassioned approach to reshaping the landscape of this city.

More than mere cleaning

Led by civil engineer Heneba Kwadwo Sarfo, the stated mission of the Buz Stop Boys is to rid Accra of its mounting waste and inspire a cultural shift in behavior. “Our goal is not just to clean the streets but to change mindsets,” Sarfo told the BBC. “If we can make people understand that keeping the environment clean benefits everyone, we’ll have a cleaner, healthier, and prouder Ghana.”

The BuzstopBoys, a group of environmental advocates, have donated eight dustbins—labeled for Organic, Paper, Metal, and Plastic waste—to Apostle Safo School of Art and Sciences and Wellspring School. This initiative aims to promote waste segregation among students and foster… pic.twitter.com/LM3kyKW57e

— Buzstopboys (@buzstopboys) November 18, 2024

The movement, which had five founding members in July 2023, has grown through word of mouth and social media into a strong force of over 40 volunteers. A rich blend of midwives, carpenters, military officers, and students all share a common bond: love for the environment.

Its story has transcended borders and inspired young people across the world. A team of students from the United Kingdom, inspired by their commitment, spent their summer holidays in Accra taking part in the cleanups.

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Individual action as a catalyst

The impact of the Buz Stop Boys goes far beyond cleaning rubbish. It’s a call to arms to people everywhere that small, local efforts can make all the difference across the globe. “Don’t sit at home saying you don’t care,” Sarfo stressed. “One thing is clear: without the environment, we are nothing. We can’t survive on this planet without it.”

Its commitment has impressed celebrities and politicians alike. Musician Sister Derby and dancehall star Shatta Wale have publicly heaped praises on the group and solicited funds to support their work. Former President John Mahama and Transport Minister Asensu Boakye have also contributed significant donations.

“These young people are the real heroes,” said Shatta Wale. “They’re doing what most of us are too busy or proud to do. If we all helped them, imagine how beautiful Accra could be“.

A global issue, a local solution

Ghana’s struggles to manage its waste carry a lesson or two for other developing nations facing rapid urbanization and population growth. According to an undated report by UNDP 2022, Ghana produces around 14,000 tons of solid waste daily, out of which only 10% is managed properly.

In its place, Ghana has embraced a multi-pronged approach, where regulatory frameworks and institutions would mean a national waste management strategy and public-private partnership to stimulate innovation in the sector.

Regulatory frameworks and institutions: A national waste management strategy and public-private partnerships to encourage innovation in the sector.
Sustainable financing: The government is developing an extended producer responsibility system, requiring local producers and importers to share the cost of waste disposal.
Data and technology: Ghana is investing in digital platforms and innovation hubs to enhance knowledge-sharing and develop local solutions.
Awareness campaigns: Education initiatives are changing community attitudes towards waste management and promoting responsible behaviors.

Innovative pioneer: Nelson Boateng

One of Ghana’s standout innovators in waste management is Nelson Boateng, a computer engineer-turned-entrepreneur. Boateng has devised a groundbreaking method to recycle plastic waste into building materials for affordable housing.

By working with waste collectors who gather around 22,000 tons of plastic daily, Boateng transforms these materials into bricks and paving blocks. His initiative not only tackles plastic waste but also provides sustainable housing solutions.

Florida’s book bans: a cultural and political battleground

Florida schools face an unprecedented wave of censorship: more than 700 books banned, including classics and contemporary works, under new laws. The repercussions affect education, culture and civil rights

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Florida remains at the vortex of a contentious cultural and political debate, as upwards of 700 books have been taken off the shelves. The list includes bestsellers such as Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel The Handmaid’s Tale, Stephen King’s The Stand, and Chuck Palahniuk’s Fight Club; these are the results of the new state laws directed toward the guidance of school library materials.

The controversy centers around HB 1069, a law passed in July 2023, allowing parents and citizens to protest materials considered “pornographic” or “inappropriate.” While the state government claims it is protecting minors, critics believe the law creates a climate of censorship, threatening cultural diversity and the right to education.

Context

Indeed, according to the Florida Department of Education, HB 1069 requires schools to remove controversial materials in response to concerns from parents worried about inappropriate content. Sydney Booker, a department spokesperson, said: “There have been no book bans in Florida. Our priority is removing explicitly sexual materials from schools“.

But look at the list of the books that had been removed, and one gets a different story. The listing includes not only sexually explicit works but also those on racism, gender identity, and African American history. These include J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye and Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, a memoir of what it is like to be a young Black girl in America’s racist 1930s.

According to the report, the instructional materials were either withdrawn or discontinued upon the objections raised by the parents or the local residents. The titles, authors, school levels, and the districts concerned are included in this report. According to Section 1006.28(2)(e) of Florida Statutes, it is the duty of the Department of Education to collect and disseminate such information in order to assist districts in reviewing educational materials in 2023-2024.

Critics speak out: “An unprecedented wave of censorship”

Groups such as the Florida Freedom to Read Project have denounced the surging tide of school censorship. The group declared in a statement that:

“We believe in a fair and public process, not district-level censorship inspired by vague laws and lists of ‘bad books’ like this.”

Hirokazu Yoshikawa, professor at New York University and co-author of a study on the effects of censorship policies said: “These restrictions cause collective harm, limiting access to learning opportunities and creating a climate of fear and stress for both students and teachers“.

Impact on students

New York University researchers interviewed more than 80 teachers, students, and parents for its study, which found a “chilling effect” in which discussions of various sensitive topics are avoided for fear of legal or social retribution.

For example, the usage of preferred pronouns and the sharing of personal information about gender identity have decreased significantly. As researchers point out, this tendency may affect students’ mental health because it denies them a safe and inclusive school environment.

A cultural and educational loss

This is where many teachers lament the erosion of school curricula: Works that tackle essential issues such as racism, immigration, and civil rights are being removed, thereby depriving the student community of critical tools with which to make important comprehensions of the modern world.

Yoshikawa said, “While educational policies should be expanding learning opportunities, these measures are narrowing them, affecting all students, not just those directly targeted.”
“This is not just a fight about books,” he said. “It is a fight about the future of education and democracy in this country.”

Broader Consequences of the Debate
It was an issue that might very well restructure the educational landscape in the US for decades to come, raising one essential question: Who gets to decide what is appropriate to read?