Accra: The European Union (EU) funded Landscape and Environmental Agility Across the Nation (LEAN) project in collaboration with Rainforest Alliance has launched an Environmental Club in 20 basic schools in the Western North Region. The schools, five each from Waiwso, Bibiani Anwhiaso Bekwai, Akontombra, and Bodi districts, form part of efforts to inculcate the habit of protecting the environment among pupils to grow with it.
According to Ghana News Agency, the project is being implemented in three landscapes: the high forest zone, comprising Waiwso, Bibiani Anwhiaso Bekwai, Bodi, and Sefwi-Akontombra districts; the transition landscape within the Offinso North and South, Nkoransa North and South, and Techiman North and South districts; and the Savannah landscape, which includes the Damango area in the Savannah Region and Kassena Nankana, Chaana, and Navorongo in the Upper West Region.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency after the launch, Madam Abena Dufie Woode, Senior Manager of the Rainforest Alliance (EU, LEAN) project consortium, disclosed that over 30,000 farmers had benefited from the project. Some of the farmers received climate-smart education to improve their yields and avoid the impacts of climate change, while others benefited from diversification and livelihood enterprises, such as ruminants, bee hives, vegetable farms, and piggery, among others, to earn extra income, especially during the off cocoa season.
Madam Dufie emphasized the critical role children play in environmental agility, highlighting the importance of engaging them in environmental protection. Over 40 teachers have been trained to educate children on climate change, tree planting, toxic waste management, community clean-ups, water conservation, and other activities aimed at environmental protection. She further appealed to the government to support the establishment of environmental clubs in schools outside the districts covered by the LEAN project.
Nana Gyapong Manu, Abakomahene, on behalf of the chief of Debeiso, praised the initiative and suggested extending it to all schools to protect the environment. He encouraged teachers to dedicate time during instructional hours to emphasize the importance of environmental protection.
Mr. Richard Boateng, Bibiani Anwhiaso Bekwai district Director of Education, representing the Western North Regional Director of Education, stated that the project's success would benefit not only the children and their communities but also the country as a whole. He urged residents to take environmental protection seriously.
Mr. Solomon Tawiah, a teacher at Ntakam Basic School, speaking on behalf of the beneficiary schools, pledged to nurture the children for the successful implementation of the project.
