Women in Water Sanitation and Climate Change and partners plant 250 trees at Osu Manhean Basic School

Women in Water Sanitation and Climate Change, a non-profit organization aiming to build resilient Ghanaian communities, has partnered with several organizations to undertake a tree planting exercise at Osu Manhean Basic School in Accra.

In support of the government's Green Ghana initiative, observed on June 7, Women in Water Sanitation and Climate Change joined forces with Tullow Ghana Limited, Modec Production JV Limited, and the University of Ghana Oceans Governance Project to plant 250 trees of various species at the school.

The exercise, aimed at promoting gardening and improving the school's aesthetics, saw volunteers from the organizations and students plant various trees, including tomatoes, garden eggs, and coconuts, among others.

Sandra Kyere, the Executive Director of Women in Water Sanitation and Climate Change, explained the scope and motivation of the project.

She disclosed that one of the primary aims of the exercise is to instil tree planting and environmental protection values in the children so that they grow up conscious of the need to protect the environment.

"One of our main objectives is protecting the environment. In line with observing World Environmental Day, we decided to partner with some organizations to plant trees to restore the degraded land we have in the country.

"It's a project we've initiated with the education directorate of the Korle Klottey Municipality. We started with this school and will move to others as well. We have themed this project 'Project Learning Tree in Schools,' and we are here today to create awareness about the environment," she said.



Speaking to pressmen on the sidelines of the event, Prof. Francis Kofi Ewusie Nunoo, Coordinator of the Ocean Governance Project at the University of Ghana School of Law, highlighted the negative impact of climate change and underscored the need to build an environment resilient enough to withstand the negative ramifications of climate change.

He cited several changes in weather patterns to shed light on the urgency of the matter and the need for everyone to contribute to efforts towards stemming the destruction of the environment.

"Trees are very important. Aside from their nutritional and beautification values, trees help combat climate change. Trees release oxygen and absorb the carbon dioxide that leads to climate change across the world.

"We've seen a shift in the rainy seasons, so by planting trees, we are making sure that there's more oxygen in the system and the carbon dioxide is being absorbed by the trees," he said.

Lorinda Arko, the Environment Manager of Tullow Ghana, said, "We are doing this to bring back backyard gardens and also beautify the environment that our younger siblings and children learn within. We also want to inculcate in the children the responsibility of growing and nurturing plants and trees."



EK