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7/28/2019 Greener Impact International
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INTERNATIONAL DAY FO
BIODIVERSITY (IBD) 201
IBD
2013
GREENER IMPACT INTERNATIOION
REPORT ON 2013 IBD CELEBRATIO
JUKWA, CENTRAL REGION - GHAN
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The United Nations has proclaimed May 22 as the International Day for Biological
Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.
The theme for this years celebrations is Water and Biodiversity. In view of
the importance of water to sustainable development, and pressing problems with
water availability and quality, the theme which was chosen to coincide with the
International Year of water cooperation 2013 focuses on the solutions provided by
biodiversity to meet water-related challenges.
Greener Impact International (GII) joined this years celebrations in close
collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and
Innovation (MESTI) to ensure that, the Ghanaian youth are not left out in the
celebration. For the first time, this years celebration was in Jukwa in the central
region of Ghana and was in two phases: The first Phase saw Greener Impact
International organizing a workshop for the Ghanaian Youth to sensitize them
about the celebration, introduced them to practical ways they can be involved in
the protection of biodiversity and also identified the potential challenges they
might be faced with. The workshop saw the participation of hundreds of studentsfrom Ghana, successfully ended with the adoption of the 2013 Ghana Youth
statement on Biodiversity.
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The second phase was a durbar organized by MESTI which was well attended by
the community members, the chief and opinion leaders of Jukwa. In attendance
also was the Hon. Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation
(MESTI) - Hon. Dr. Oteng Adjei, the Head of drainage and flooding of the Ghana
Hydrological service Department Mr. Wise Ametefe, the director of the Ghana
Environmental protection agency, Mr. Jonathan A. allottey, the central regional
minister, representatives from the Municipality, standard chartered Bank, students
from Jukwa junior high school and Jukwa Senior High School.
The durbar was opened with a cultural display and a short sketch by the pupils of
Jukwa basic school which touched on the theme of the celebration. It emphasized
on the need to conserve the water bodies in Ghana and highlighted on the negative
impacts of water pollution in Ghana and the need to protect our water bodies.
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Mr. Kassim Hussein of Greener Impact International then took the stage to present
the Youth statement on behalf of the Ghanaian Youth. The statement emphasized
on the need for the Government to recognize the potential contribution of the
Youth in the protection of the biodiversity in the country and also urged them to
provide support and funding for educational programs and for Youth activities
such as tree planting which is very crucial in averting the high rate of water bodies
and biodiversity loss in the country. A copy of the statement was presented to the
Minister in anticipation of his immediate actions.
A number of the invited dignitaries also took turns to address the durbar. The Hon.
Minister, Dr. Oteng Adjei finally took the stage to address the gathering. In his
address, he highlighted on the importance of water and biodiversity and the need
for their protection and conservation. He also took a swap at the illegal mining
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operation also known as galamsey in the region and asked for support from the
chiefs and the people to help fight them as their operation polluted the water bodies
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He added that, the pollution of water bodies by chemicals such as mercury posed
serious threat to both aquatic and human lives within the region. He then sought for
the support of the chiefs and people of Jukwa in flashing out the illegal mining
operators irrespective of their race, colour or citizenship.
The durbar ended with the planting of the ceremonial tree.