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| 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