Cape Coast, June 17, GNA – The Central Regional Office of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has intensified climate resilience and environmental education among pupils from some selected schools in the Region.
The programme, aimed at encouraging pupils to adopt sound environmental habits, featured tree-planting activities designed to help address climate change.
The initiative formed part of the Authority’s efforts to nurture a new generation of environmentally conscious and responsible citizens during activities marking this year’s World Environment Day.
As part of the exercise, the Authority on Wednesday embarked on an outreach programme to Basic Schools in Ajumako-Mando in the Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam District, including Mando Methodist Basic School and Mando D/A Basic School.
A variety of seedlings, including pawpaw, coconut, acacia and mango trees were presented to the schools for planting to mitigate the effects of climate change, provide fruits to the pupils in the school as well provide shade and help reduce temperatures.
Accordingly, EPA-branded souvenirs were also presented to pupils who correctly answered questions during an open quiz held as part of the programme.
Dr Daniel Nartey, Acting Central Regional Director of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), underscored the importance of instilling environmental values in children at an early age, describing them as the future custodians of the environment.
He explained that trees absorbed carbon dioxide, lower greenhouse-gas concentrations and helped mitigate climate change, reasons the Authority provided seedlings for pupils to plant to green the environment.
A programme officer, Mr Abeiku Haneef Forson, warned that shifting rainfall patterns across the country, driven by climate change, made climate awareness among young people, very urgent.
He urged the pupils to act as ambassadors for the EPA’s protection campaign, educating peers about the harms of littering and indiscriminate waste disposal.
“As ambassadors, you should teach your parents to separate household waste including plastic, organic, solid and liquid wastes and practice the five ‘R’s: Refuse, Reuse, Reduce, Recycle and Repurpose,” he said.
Mr Fred Incoom, the Finance and Administration Officer at the Ajumako District Education Office, representing the District Director of Education, reflected on this year’s World Environment Day theme: “Building a Clclimateresilient Ghana through responsible stewardship.”
He said the theme called on all Ghanaians, including schoolchildren, to take active roles in building resilience through responsible stewardship.
Mr Incoom encouraged the pupils as responsible citizens who cared for the environment, to support the EPA’s initiative, learn the importance of protecting nature, and plant trees to help mitigate climate change.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey/Benjamin Mensah