By
Benjamin Mensah, GNA
Accra, Oct. 23, GNA
– Dr Yvonne Akosua Sena Loh, a geoscientist, has affirmed that geoscience is
very important in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but that would require educating the general
populace on the role of geoscience in sustainable development.
She said there is
also the need to interact with policy makers, decision makers, policy
implementers on how their decisions and actions can impact sustainable
development.
Dr Loh, who is also
a lecturer at Department of Geoscience at the University of Ghana, Legon, made
the suggestion in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) recently,
during the celebration of the International Earth Science week.
The theme for the week
was: “Geoscience Is for Everyone,” and it was used to emphasize on
both the inclusive potential and the importance of the geosciences in the lives
of all people.
Dr Loh said Centre
for Geoscience Studies (CfGS) is a registered independent, non-governmental
think-tank, and its purpose is to create awareness in the general populace
about the importance of geoscience and champion the role of geoscience in
national development.
The centre envisions
a citizenry that will have common knowledge in geoscience and thus appreciate
how geoscience impact their environment and everyday life.
Dr Loh recalled that
in September 2015, member states of the United Nations adopted the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs), with the goals operating from 2015 to 2030, aimed to
eradicate global poverty, promote sustainable consumption patterns, and
facilitate sustained and inclusive economic growth, social development and
environmental protection.
“In this context, CfGS seeks to educate the
general populace on the role of geoscience in their everyday lives, and to
advise government and policy makers in relation to natural resources and the
environment,” Dr Loh said.
She said CfGS has
devised four strategic objectives, which are facilitate and promote, through
the organization of periodic seminars and workshops, a dialogue among
policy-makers, decision-makers, policy implementers, technocrats, academics,
and other stakeholders, on policy issues relating to geoscience and the
environment.
It would also
provide analysis and perspectives on policy issues relating to geoscience and
advise government and policy makers to make policies or take decisions that
would support human life and well-being as well as protect the general populace
against geohazards and ensure that natural resources are managed and used
sustainably.
The centre would
also promote the value of geoscience in supporting economic development; and
educate the general populace on the impact of geoscience in their everyday
life.
To help in achieving
the SDGs and its strategic objectives, Dr Loh said the CfGS has designed four
projects- observe and commemorate the International Earth Science Week by
engaging the Geoscience community to undertake public outreach and informal
geoscience education in the news media, establish Earth Science Clubs in the
Senior High Schools across the country, promote the advancement of girls in
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) across Senior High
Schools and map all geoheritage sites in the country, prepare document for the
establishment of geotourist sites.
The CfGS would
engage the Ministry of Tourism and other stakeholders in the promotion of
geotourism for economic development of local communities.
Dr Loh said the CfGS
is run by a team of academics, researchers and businessmen and that the
day-to-day responsibility for the running of the organization is delegated to
our Executive Director, working alongside a wider leadership team.
The CfGS leadership
is supported by a team of research associates, research administrators, research
assistants and science journalists, in the delivery of our strategic objectives
and projects.
Dr Loh said CfGS has
an Advisory Board that provides guidance and strategic advice to the management
of CfGS, thereby facilitating the organization to operate in an effective,
efficient and accountable manner.
GNA
