‘Little Angles’ Back Ban On Plastic Bags

By Anu Paul

The Little Angels of the Environment Cameroon (LANEC) have said a big “no” to plastics!

LANEC has added its voice in compliance with government action against plastics and in partnership agreement with the Global Action for Children, an initiative of the Earth Child Institute that took place March 17-24, 2014 at the Refuge Bilingual High School Yaounde.

The groups held a series of environmental sensitization activities aimed at educating their peers and the population of the Carriere neighbourhood through actions.

 “Children are the best group of the population to foster environmental education because when they grow up those values will stay on for generations,” said Precilia Song, the founder and coordinator of LANEC.

The Deputy Communication Officer in the Ministry of Environment, Nature Protection and Sustainable Development (MINEPDED) called on the students to be ambassadors in their various neighbourhoods so that others can emulate them.   

Featuring in the program in the course of the week were educative chats over some radio and TV programs, sketches on the negative effects of non-biodegradable plastics, paintings, poems, songs, and some biodiversity species conservation measures.

This was LANEC’s way of supporting government action following the recent joint ban on non-biodegradable plastics by MINEPDED/MINCOMMERCE with April 24, 2014 as deadline.    

The activities included the collection of all the non-biodegradable plastics found in the neighbourhood and handed over to the competent authorities for recycling or outright disposal.

The students promised to champion the campaign on the elimination of plastic bags and make the actions a reality in their neighbourhoods.

LANEC actions demonstrate the importance of all to embark on activities to enhance responsible behaviour to foster environmental conservation for the good of present and future generations.