Savelugu:The Regional Advisory Information and Network Systems (RAINS), a non-governmental organization, has urged the enhancement of climate change education for schoolchildren to furnish them with the necessary knowledge and skills for promoting environmental sustainability within their communities.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Hardi Tijani, the Executive Director of RAINS, highlighted the importance of educating children on climate change and sustainable environmental practices. He emphasized that such education would help cultivate responsible attitudes toward managing natural resources and encourage households to adopt climate-friendly practices.
The call for increased climate education was made during the second edition of the RAINS Schools' Climate Change Festival, held under the theme 'Climate Champions Inspiring Change in Our Schools and Communities' at Savelugu in the Northern Region. This festival aimed to bring together students, teachers, education officials, agricultural officers, and other stakeholders to promote climate awareness and practical environmental action in schools and communities.
Nine schools, including Bunglun Basic School, Libga Basic School, Yong Basic School, and others, participated in the event. The festival featured debates, drama, role plays, and exhibitions of innovative climate ideas by students, providing them with a platform to showcase their understanding of climate change and propose practical solutions to environmental challenges.
Mr. Tijani noted the visible effects of climate change through irregular rainfall patterns, prolonged dry seasons, rising temperatures, and land degradation, which have serious implications for agriculture, food security, and livelihoods, especially in northern Ghana. He stressed that young people should be viewed not only as victims of climate change but also as agents of change, capable of influencing environmental practices in their schools, homes, and communities.
RAINS reaffirmed its commitment to promoting climate education and creating opportunities for students to develop the necessary knowledge, confidence, and skills to tackle climate-related challenges. Mr. Tijani encouraged students to translate their knowledge into practical actions such as tree planting, maintaining school gardens, reducing waste, and sharing climate information with their families.
Additionally, he called for stronger collaboration among the Ghana Education Service, the Department of Agriculture, school authorities, teachers, development partners, and other stakeholders to ensure that climate education results in practical environmental action.
Alhaji Baba Musah, Savelugu Municipal Director of Agriculture, commended RAINS for introducing climate education at the basic school level. He stated that the initiative would help children understand the effects of climate change and the importance of sustainable agricultural production from an early age. Mr. Musah emphasized sustainable agricultural practices, including proper land management and the responsible use of agrochemicals, to maintain soil fertility and minimize environmental degradation.
Mr. Abdulai Baba, a teacher from Nyoglo Basic School, noted that the festival had encouraged students to actively participate in environmental activities, particularly tree planting and school gardening. He highlighted that practical activities enable students to better understand environmental issues, as they learn by doing, and also involve pupils who may be less active during classroom lessons in school-based environmental initiatives.
Source Ghana News Agency