Environmental Protection Authority, Ghana Marks World Environment Day with School Children in Ekumfi

C/R Officers of EPA in a group photograph with Staff and pupils of ATIABS

The Central Regional Office of the Environmental Protection Authority, Ghana (EPA) commemorated World Environment Day 2025 on Thursday, June 5, with pupils of Attakwaa T. I. Ahmadiyya Basic School (ATIABS) in the Ekumfi District of the Central Region.

Under the global theme “Ending Plastic Pollution,” field officers Mr. Michael Oppong and Ms. Priscilla Djaba led an engaging sensitisation session, educating the young learners on environmentally friendly practices with a strong emphasis on the 4Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Recover.

The campaign also activated a creative hashtag, #MemmpɛRubber, a local slogan meaning “I don’t like rubber.” The phrase serves as a rallying call to discourage the use of single-use plastic bags, especially for food and other everyday items. Officers explained how indiscriminate plastic disposal degrades soil quality and pollutes water bodies, posing a long-term threat to the environment.

Pupils were encouraged to become eco-ambassadors by practising and promoting zero-plastic lifestyles. Teachers were also urged to introduce plastic waste management strategies in classrooms and adopt segregation methods to support the nationwide effort.

A lively  Questions and Answers (Q&A) session was held to assess the pupils’ understanding of the campaign’s message. The officers expressed delight at the thoughtful responses provided and rewarded participants who gave correct answers.

As part of their commitment, the EPA team made a donation of ten (10) books (The Canoe's Story), a carton of fruit juice, and biscuits to the school.

The day concluded with a symbolic tree-planting activity featuring a variety of shade trees—Umbrella Tree (Terminalia), Militia, Acacia, and Cedrela—and fruit trees such as mango, coconut, pawpaw, soursop, and orange.

Other officers who participated in the exercise included Mr. Solomon Aidoo, Mr. Precious Midodzi Zotoo, and Mr. Godfred Ainoo. The team noted that similar exercises were carried out in other schools within the district, namely: Ekrawfo T. I. Ahmadiyya Basic School, Essarkyir Methodist Basic, Essuehyia Methodist Basic School, and Akwakrom D/A Basic School.

Mr. Michael Oppong, on behalf of the team, extended gratitude to the District Director of Education, Ms. Kafui Mary Ahlijah, for granting them permission to undertake this important environmental initiative.

By: Yusuf Ibrahim Dadzie