By Patience Gbeze
Accra, Sept. 03, GNA – Mr Emmanuel Nyarko Ankamah, the Coordinator of the Presbyterian Relief Services and Development (PRESED), has stressed the need for collective action to protect the environment and improve air quality.
He said protecting the environment should not be left to the government and environmental agencies alone but must become a shared responsibility involving faith-based organisations, community leaders, residents, civil society, and other stakeholders.
Mr Ankamah was speaking at the ongoing community engagement on the ‘clean air’ campaign in Accra.
The activities form part of broader efforts to raise awareness about air pollution and environmental injustice in urban communities, while encouraging practical, community-led solutions.
As part of ongoing air pollution engagement activities, including various clean-up exercises, have been organised in selected communities to promote environmental responsibility, proper waste management and healthier living conditions.
Mr Ankamah said poor waste management, open burning and other environmentally harmful practices contribute significantly to air pollution and posed risks to public health, particularly in densely populated communities.
The initiative further encouraged residents to adopt responsible waste disposal practices, avoid open burning, and actively participate in efforts to keep their communities clean.
He said the clean-up exercises therefore formed an important component of the broader air pollution engagement, providing an opportunity for community members to move beyond awareness creation and take practical action to improve their surroundings.
“Our actions today will determine the quality of the environment we leave for future generations,” Mr Ankamah said.
He urged the citizenry to join hands in efforts towards protecting the environment, saying, every individual had a role to play in creating clean, safe, and healthy communities.
Mr Ankamah also called on individuals, churches, community groups, traditional authorities, local government structures and development partners, to strengthen collaboration in the fight against air pollution.
“A cleaner environment begins with each one of us. Let us act today to protect our environment and secure a healthier future.”
He said sustained community engagement, education and practical environmental actions would be critical to achieving cleaner air and healthier communities across Ghana.
GNA
Edited by Christabel Addo