Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, former Director General of the Ghana Health Service has advised the government, Civil Society Organisation (CSO) and the general public to help make the environment clean and healthy.
According to Prof.Akosa, Ghanaians have to change the formula in which waste materials are being treated for disposal.
The renowned Pathologist made the call at the maiden Student Representation Council (SRC) celebration of the University College of Agriculture and Environmental Studies (UCAES) at the school premises at Bunso in the Eastern Region. It was held under the theme “Improving the Aesthetic Environment, A Step Towards a Sustainable Development’.
Prof. Akosa identified awareness creation as a major solution to environmental problems facing Ghana. He explained that through massive awareness campaign, sustainable policy formulation and implementation, the socio-economic and health implications of environmental pollutants caused by human activities will be reduced drastically.
He called on Ghanaians to help improve the environment by plating more trees in their various surrounding.
The Health specialist also advocated for public places of convenience (toilets) in commercials buses to discourage the on-ongoing abuse of the environment with human excrete by commuters when travelling by road.
Prof. Akosa revealed that the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council in the Eastern Region headed by the Okyenhene, Osagyfuo Amotia Ofori Panin are far advanced with plans to convert the historical Atewa Forest Reserve into a National Park to serve as a tourist centre, instead of promoting the proposed mining of bauxite in the reserve. “ Besides protecting the nation’s ecological balance and the incredible biodiversity of Atewa for future generations, upgrading the status of Atewa to National Park will play a part in developing alternative income generation opportunities for the country and communities surrounding the Atewa forest” he stated.
Barima Nana Kofi Adjei Twinin Dwantonhene of Akyeam Abuakwa State in his address stated that professionals, particularly environmental scientists, needed to speak with one voice in order to drive the message to the public, stressing that through such effort, members of the public would appreciate the urgent need to salvage the environment from degradation.
He envisaged that the university would become an engine that, through research and teaching (with Okyeman as a laboratory in relations to its environmental conditions and experience) would generate the critical mass of apostles and crusaders of proper exploitation and preservation of the environment who would engender a culture of responsible environmental practices transcending Akyem Abuakwa Traditional area to all corners of Ghana and beyond
The Dwantonhene of the Akyeam Abuakwa State also proposed the re-introduction of sanitation task force to arrest and prosecute culprits who don’t adhere to sanitation by-laws in our communities.
He advised students to keep their surroundings clean to avoid contracting any disease which emanate from an untidy environment.
Dr. Francis Awortwi, Dean of Student Affairs at UCAES in his address advocated for introduction of monthly sanitation to ensure environmental cleanliness.
He announced the introduction of new courses thus BSC in Agric Business, BSC in Business Administration and BSC in Waste Management and Public Health in the 2014-15 academic sessions in response to Ghana’s drive to train scholars whose knowledge would be fully responsive to the realities and needs of the society.
According to him, these courses are being introduced in view of their increasing demand. He said the university would ensure that students maintained excellent academic work and equipped with diverse skills to become competent in their profession.
The Dean of Students Affairs says the school is already running 4-year BSc Sustainable Agriculture, BSc Sustainable Forestry and BSc Environmental Science and Management programs to provide students with a practical education in areas critical to the sustainable growth of the Ghanaian economy and protection of the environment.
The SRC President of the school, Mr. Bernard Osei Gyamfi advocated for stiffer punishment for individuals and organisations that violates any environmental rules in the country. He explains that such a step would make individuals and organistaions to comply with rules and regulations governing the environment.
On hygiene, the SRC President urged Ghanaians to imbibe good sanitation and hygiene practices to reduce the incidences of sanitation related diseases.
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