By Michael Foli Jackidy
Tadzewu/Dzodze (V/R), June 4, GNA – Prof. Nana Ama Brown Klutse, the Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has led a symbolic tree-planting exercise at two selected Senior High Schools in the Ketu North Municipality.
The exercise formed part of activities marking this year’s World Environment Day and the National Tree Planting Exercise.
The schools—Wovenu Senior High School (WOSSET) in Tadzewu and Dzodze-Penyi Senior High School (DZOSEC) in Dzodze—each hosted tree planting ceremonies on their campuses.
The initiative, according to the EPA, marks the beginning of an environmental advocacy campaign aimed at grooming future environmental champions.
Addressing students and staff during her visit on Tuesday, Prof. Klutse underscored the vital role of youth in shaping a sustainable future.
“I believe in the potential of young minds to innovate and lead us toward the sustainable future we all envision,” she said.
She highlighted the numerous environmental challenges confronting Ghana and stressed that safeguarding the environment requires collective effort.
“EPA’s work is massive—it cannot be done alone. Every individual must take responsibility in preserving the environment, because it is the source of the air we breathe and the water we drink.”
Prof. Klutse warned against the harmful effects of environmental degradation, particularly on health and life expectancy, and called on students to actively participate in protecting nature.
“The trees we planted today—mangoes and coconuts—will not only provide us food but also purify our air,” she noted.
She announced that this year’s World Environment Day is being commemorated under the theme “Ending Plastic Pollution: Repurposing Plastic Use.” The focus, she said, is on recycling plastic waste into valuable products.
Prof. Klutse lamented the low supply of recyclable plastic waste to recycling companies despite their readiness to work.
She encouraged households and institutions to adopt waste segregation, especially separating plastics from organic and other types of waste, to facilitate efficient collection and processing.
“Plastic waste is not biodegradable. It has remained in the soil for thousands of years, affecting agriculture and destroying our environment. We must change how we dispose of it,” she said.
Addressing the students, she emphasised the importance of academic focus and personal discipline.
“This is not the time for distractions like gossip or relationships. It is time to study, obey your teachers and parents, and build a solid foundation for your future.”
She further encouraged students to name and care for the trees they plant.
“As you grow, your tree will grow with you. Ten years from now, you should be proud to point to a thriving tree and say, ‘This is my tree.’”
Mr. Eric Edem Agbana, Member of Parliament for Ketu North, emphasized the importance of the tree planting initiative and urged each student to plant and nurture at least one tree.
“Do not take this exercise for granted. It symbolizes growth, life, and responsibility,” he stated.
As part of efforts to improve education infrastructure, Mr. Agbana announced plans to equip all four senior high schools in Ketu North with modern computer laboratories ahead of the next WASSCE examinations.
“Last year, students had to borrow computers from town for their ICT exams. That will not happen again. We are working to ensure each school has its own resources.”
He also donated 10 streetlights to each school to improve campus security.
Prof. Klutse made cash donations to both WOSSET and DZOSEC to support school development projects.
Rev. Martin Amenaki, the Municipal Chief Executive of Ketu North, also encouraged students to take tree planting seriously and commit to long-term care.
School authorities and students from both schools expressed their appreciation for being selected for the exercise, pledging to uphold the values of environmental stewardship.
GNA
Edited by: Maxwell Awumah/Kenneth Odeng Adade