The Greater Accra Regional Directorate of the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE), in collaboration with the Ablekuma Central Municipal Assembly and the Member of Parliament for Ablekuma Central Constituency, Dan Latif, has engaged Civic Education Clubs (CECs) in junior high schools on environmental governance.
Dubbed "Civic Fest", the programme, which took place at the Ablekuma Central Municipal Assembly, involved five junior high schools - the Barrack Obama Basic School, the Grace Preparatory School, the Living Stone Academy, the John Evans Attah Mills Basic School and the John Dramani Mahama Basic School.
It was on the theme: "Speak up, Show up, Clean up Young minds for a cleaner and better Ghana".
Objective
The objective of the event was to empower teenagers and young people at the basic school level with knowledge, skills and motivation to actively engage in proper management of the environment.
The participating schools presented 20 members from each civic education club, who used activities such as visual arts, mini-quizzes (pick and act), Constitution and poetry recitals in connection with environmental degradation, music and dance, as well as drama.
The performances were expected to address challenges with environmental governance within their schools, localities or at the national level and proffer solutions.
Resolution
The participants, at the end of the programme, resolved to speak about issues affecting their communities, including poor sanitation, improper waste disposal, flooding and other environmental challenges.
They decreed: " Speaking alone is not enough but must be blended with responsible citizenship participation.
We must show up, get involved and contribute to solving the problems we identify. Our words must translate into action and respect for the environment," they said.
Significance
The Greater Accra Regional Director of the NCCE, Mawuli Agbenu, said specific objectives of the programme were to provide education on environmental governance and the importance of protecting the environment, encourage a change of mindset among teenagers and young persons towards proper management and protection of the environment, and also to encourage teenagers and young persons to fully participate in protecting the environment.
He said while engaging the students, the NCCE recognised the effectiveness of strategies that involved the use of both visual and performing arts to teach civic values that promoted proper environmental governance.
Obligation
The Municipal Chief Executive of the Ablekuma Central Assembly, Frank Nkansah, said a key obligation placed on citizens by the 1992 Constitution was the protection of the environment and contribution to the welfare of communities.
He said that the Ablekuma Central Assembly, as part of its varied functions, promotes good environmental governance and proper management of human settlements to ensure social development.
Mr Nkansah, therefore, pledged the assembly's commitment to support the NCCE and other agencies to fight environmental challenges confronting the municipality.
The Deputy Greater Accra Regional Director of the NCCE, Gloria Amakie Kudo, said the performance of the students demonstrated the need for all to be conscious of the environment and become ambassadors of a cleaner and better Ghana in schools, homes, communities and the country at large.
Mrs Kudo cautioned those who throw rubbish away anyhow to be mindful of the fact that their actions were against environmental and sanitation laws in the country.
Other speakers were the Ablekuma Central Municipal Environmental Health and Sanitation Officer, Isaac Wakah and the Ablekuma Central Municipal Director of the NCCE, Comfort Azalletey Lumorvi.
The NCCE presented certificates and the abridged version of the Constitution to all the participants and teacher trainers.
