World Environment Day marked in Tamale

Students and young people have been challenged to lead and champion climate action activities to protect and safeguard the environment.

That was the message delivered at the Tamale Senior High School when CORD Ghana and partners marked World Environment Day with over 400 students, teachers, and climate advocates in Tamale.

The celebration was intended to rally the support of young people, among other stakeholders to take concrete actions towards environmental protection and climate resilience

The Center for Opportunities in Rural Development, CORD Ghana, brought together partners including Youth Challenge International, the Ghana Education Service, Network of Youth for Climate Action Africa (NYCA Africa), and Youth Alliance for Climate and Environmental Sustainability (YACES), for the event. It was under the theme:“Inspired by Nature, for Climate, for Our Future”.

CORD Ghana’s Executive Director, Dr. Kodimah Siita

CORD Ghana’s Executive Director, Dr. Kodimah Siita, said the celebration was aimed at rekindling society’s commitment to environmental stewardship and empowering young people to become agents of change.

He noted that the environment remained central to human survival and development and urged students to appreciate the responsibility they bore in preserving it for future generations. 

“The earth we live on is borrowed from generations yet to come. It is therefore important that we protect and preserve it for them,” he said.

“We need to decisively create more solutions and practical actions that can help sustain and preserve the environment we live in,” he further added.

Olivia Sayani

Programme and Partnership Fellow at Youth Challenge International, Ms. Olivia Sayani, underscored the global nature of climate change and its far-reaching impacts on communities across continents. She said climate change is already hitting communities across Ghana and beyond and urged young people to step into leadership now.

“The future is not something we wait for; it is something we create together today. Every action matters, whether large or small, local or global.”

Education and Capacity Building Coordinator of the Network of Youth for Climate Action Africa, Courage Kojo Opoku,  said Ghanaian youth have huge potential in the green jobs sector when discussions on environment and climate action take center stage.

He urged young people to lead change in their daily lives saying “Ghanaian youth should be part of the solutions and not the problem of continuous habits against nature. Youth have the mandate to lead change via every choice we take in our daily activities.”

The event ended with calls for students to champion sustainable practices in their schools and communities. CORD Ghana believes strengthening youth engagement is key to building a resilient future for Ghana and beyond.