The deputy minister for lands and natural resources, Benito Owusu Bio, has praised the forestry commission’s initiative to involve schoolchildren in forest and wildlife education as part of the international day of the forest.
The effort if sustained, would help young people become knowledgeable and environmentally conscious as well as responsible adults.
Forests, their sustainable management and use of resources, including in fragile ecosystems, are key to combating climate change, and to contributing to the prosperity and well-being of current and future generations.
Forests also play a crucial role in poverty alleviation and in the achievement of the sustainable development goals, sdgs.
The united nations general assembly, UNGA, proclaimed march 21 as the international day of forests in 2012.
The day celebrates and raises awareness of the importance of all types of forests.
This year the international day of forests promotes education to learn to love forests.
It underscores the importance of education at all levels in achieving sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation.
Healthy forests mean healthy, resilient communities and prosperous economies.
The involvement of the schoolchildren is the first by the forestry commission of Ghana
Four schools from the Anunmle cluster of schools took part in the maiden quiz held at the Accra zoo.
Anunmle basic and Junior High School, emerged as the winners with 39 points followed by Aggrey basic and Junior High School, with 27 points, sackey oddoi basic and Junior High School, 26 points while nii okine Basic and Junior High School, had 18 points.
The participating schools received cash, certificates, a plague and other prices.
The week-long event would be climaxed by a school debate on Monday march 21
By Peter Quao Adattor