Tamale: Dr Kodimah Siita, Executive Director of the Center for Opportunities in Rural Development (CORD Ghana), has urged the implementation of practical and innovative solutions to maintain and protect the environment for both current and future generations. He emphasized the necessity of collective action and daily conscious choices, indicating that everyone bears a responsibility towards environmental protection and climate resilience. Dr Siita addressed the audience, including students, educators, climate advocates, and development practitioners, during the World Environment Day celebration in Tamale.
According to Ghana News Agency, the event was organized by CORD Ghana in collaboration with Youth Challenge International, the Ghana Education Service, the Network of Youth for Climate Action Africa (NYCA), and other partners. It featured environmental awareness sessions and interactive engagements with students, promoting sustainable environmental practices within schools and communities. The event aimed to mobilize young people and other stakeholders to undertake concrete actions towards environmental conservation and climate resilience.
Dr Siita highlighted the celebration's goal to rekindle society's commitment to environmental stewardship and empower young people as agents of change. He stressed the importance of the environment for human survival and development, urging students to recognize their role in its preservation. He stated, "The earth we live on is borrowed from generations yet to come. It is therefore, important that we protect and preserve it for them." He further explained that organizing the event in schools aligns with CORD Ghana's youth-centered approach to development, as nurturing environmental consciousness among young people is crucial for a sustainable future.
Miss Olivia Sayani, Programme and Partnership Fellow at Youth Challenge International, addressed the global nature of climate change and its impact on communities worldwide. Drawing from experiences in Africa, Europe, and North America, she highlighted how droughts, wildfires, and floods demonstrate that climate change is a shared challenge necessitating collective action. She encouraged young people to assume active leadership roles in climate action through innovation, advocacy, community mobilization, and sustainable practices, stating, "The future is not something we wait for; it is something we create together today. Every action matters, whether large or small, local or global."
Mr Salifu Abdul Razak, Sagnarigu Municipal Director of Education, described the theme for this year's celebration, "Inspired by Nature, for Climate, for Our Future," as a reminder of society's collective responsibility towards environmental sustainability. He noted that schools could play pivotal roles in nurturing environmentally conscious citizens through initiatives like tree planting, school gardening, and waste recycling programs. Mr Abdul Razak observed that climate change is already affecting the education sector through rising temperatures, flooding, and dry spells that disrupt teaching and learning activities. He emphasized that students should not only be seen as victims of climate change but as part of the solution. He remarked, "Every child who turns off a light, plants a tree, or adopts environmentally friendly practices is contributing to climate action." He added that the Ghana Education Service promotes climate education through green school initiatives aimed at integrating environmental respo nsibility into students' everyday lives, urging schools to become centers of climate restoration.