Azumah Nelson honoured as Environmental Ambassador

Accra, July 21, GNA - The Ministry of Environment and Science has conferred the title "Environmental Ambassador" on boxing legend Barima Azumah Nelson.

A statement issued in Accra said the honour was conferred on the former World Boxing Champion because of the interest he had shown in environmental protection and related issues for the sustainable development of Ghana.

The Ministry's decision was delivered to Barima Azumah at his residence in Accra on Monday, July 19 to coincide with the birthday celebrations of the boxing legend.

A letter signed by Prof. Kasim Kasanga, Minister of Environment and Science, said: "In view of the interest shown over the years in environmental conservation and protection our ministry has decided to confer on you the title of Environmental Ambassador." The Ministry said it was its view that the gesture would spur the Boxer on to continue to assist with the educational campaign of the Ministry to raise the awareness of Ghanaians on matters of the environment.

In accepting the honour, Barima Azumah said environmental issues had been his long-term concern because he had come to realise that people were poor because they had not effectively mastered their environment.

He said his poor background and beginnings had made him openhearted to all activities aimed at ensuring poverty reduction and pledged to assist the Ministry of Environment and Science in its crusade to educate Ghanaians on proper and sound environmental practices.

According to the statement, a special ceremony would be held later in the year to formally confer the title on Azumah.

Azumah recently rescheduled his trip to the United States to be inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame to participate in a coconut tree planting exercise at the Sakumono Beach, near Tema, as part of activities to commemorate World Environment Day, which fell on June 5.