Ghanaian-British athlete, environmentalist and agro-processing business founder has become the first person to Ghanaian to complete a record breaking 450km swimming expedition across River Volta to create awareness about the impact of waste colonialism.
Yvette Tetteh’s achievement of swimming 450km across the Volta River is a remarkable feat and a significant moment in Ghanaian history. Not only did she break a record, but she also used her journey as a means to raise awareness about the impact of waste colonialism on the ecosystems of the Volta River.
It is inspiring to see an athlete and entrepreneur like Yvette use her platform to bring attention to important social and environmental issues. Her swim is a powerful reminder of the importance of taking action to protect our planet and its resources.
It took 40 days for the 30-year old Yvonne to swim across the Volta River starting from Buipe to Ada with her expedition crew and the OR Foundation.
Researchers from the OR Foundation, who supported Yvonne’s swim and advocacy against textile waste, Yvette Tetteh and the OR Foundation research crew had an accompanying vessel from Brave Hearts Expedition, named, ‘The Woman Who Does Not Fear.’
Boat Captain from Bravehearts Expeditions, JayJay Addo-Koranteng and documentary photographer Ofoe Amegavie belonged to Yvette’s supportive team that was with her throughout the 40-day expedition to gathered water and air samples to aid investigations into the causes of the water pollution, as well as disseminate information about her journey to the communities along the swim route.
Yvette’s swim is an inspiring example of using one’s talents and platform to bring attention to important issues and inspire change.
Yvette is also a Board Member of the Or Foundation, founder of Y Yoga Ghana, a literary winner of the Koffi Addo Prize for Non-Fiction in 2016, and also founder of Yvaya Farm, an agro-processing company selling delicious, wholesome and responsibly farmed foods from Ghana.
