By Anthony Adongo Apubeo, GNA
Tongo (U/E), May 7, GNA – The Forum for Natural Regeneration (FONAR), an environmental advocacy organisation, has its call for the active inclusion of children in addressing environmental challenges, warning that Ghana is losing its natural resources at an alarming rate.
According to the organisation, the rapid depletion of natural resources poses serious threats to future generations and national survival.
“While it is true that no society can progress without using its God-given natural resources-the minerals, the fertile lands, the timber – we must never forget that these gifts are not infinite.
“This is why we at FONAR firmly believe that the children of today, who will soon inherit the leadership of our communities, must not only be aware of these environmental challenges but must be invited to sit at the table and help shape practical, lasting solutions,” Mr Sumaila Seidu Saaka, Executive Director of FONAR said.
He made the call at a School Kids Eco-Clubs Environmental Poster Drawing Exhibition and Awards Ceremony held at Tongo in the Talensi District.
The event, organised by FONAR with funding support from Awaken Trees of Austria and Heidehof Stiftung of Germany, brought together education authorities, traditional leaders, teachers, eco-club coordinators, pupils and other stakeholders to celebrate children’s creativity while promoting environmental awareness.
Mr Saaka said children, who were most affected by the growing climate crisis, must be given opportunities to participate meaningfully in environmental decision-making and community-based solutions.
“In this era of global climate crisis, children suffer its effects more deeply than adults, and the climate crisis is, at its heart, a child-rights crisis,” Mr Saaka emphasised.
For the past two years, FONAR and its partners, in collaboration with the Talensi District Assembly and the District Education Directorate, have been empowering basic school children in the district to protect the environment through Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR), a low-cost and effective approach to restoring tree cover without planting new trees.
This has involved establishing eco-clubs in 10 basic schools and equipping pupils with knowledge and tools to protect the environment in their schools and communities, while using creative approaches to educate wider communities on environmental conservation.
Explaining the rationale behind the poster drawing competition, Mr Saaka said the contest, held under the theme: “Taking Care of Trees, Taking Care of Our Future,” was designed to amplify children’s voices and encourage them to reflect on environmental challenges affecting their communities.
Beyond showcasing artistic talent, he said the initiative sought to equip children with knowledge about the importance of trees and empower them to educate peers and community members.
He described FMNR as a cost-effective, fast and culturally appropriate method of restoring degraded lands and urged authorities to integrate it into national programmes such as the Tree for Life Initiative.
Mr John Millim Nabwomya, the Talensi District Chief Executive, underscored the importance of nurturing children as environmental stewards, describing them as key to safeguarding the future.
He commended FONAR and its partners for investing in environmental education and empowering children to take active roles in protecting their communities, noting that “our environment is us; if the environment is not there, then we are also not there.”
Mr Nabwomya said the district had already begun witnessing positive results from the FMNR initiative, citing areas such as the Yameriga Hills where degraded lands were gradually recovering due to community adoption of the practice.
“My administration is fully committed to making environmental regeneration a cornerstone of our local development. The successes of the Talensi FMNR project have put this district on a global path, and we will not let these gains slip away,” he stated.
He also supported calls for the integration of FMNR into national environmental programmes, stressing that the model was affordable, fast and well suited to the local context.
Speaking on behalf of Ms Christiana Azure, Talensi District Director of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Mr Joseph Zida, Assistant Director in charge of Human Resource, commended FONAR for supporting efforts to awaken children’s environmental consciousness.
At the end of the competition, Master John Akolgo of Tongo-Beo Primary School emerged winner in the primary category, while Master Bazamgia of Baapelug Junior High School won the JHS category.
Each winner was presented with a school bag, two teacher notebooks, ten exercise books, one mathematical set, twelve pencils, one pencil bag, five pens, five erasers and five sharpeners.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Anthony Adongo Apubeo
Email: [email protected]