DASEES-UEW Participates in 2024 Green Ghana Day
In a bid to rejuvenate degraded forest landscapes and bolster national efforts against climate change, the Department of Agricultural Science Education and Environmental Science (DASEES) at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), has undertaken a tree-planting project in the Effutu Municipality.
The initiative saw the planting of approximately 1,000 seedlings of Cacia, Mahogany, Umbrella Tree, and Ceiba species across selected junior and senior high schools in the Municipality.
The tree planting event included significant educational outreach, underscoring the importance of environmental stewardship among young students. Prof. Arkoful Sam, representing UEW Management, addressed students at the University Practice School, South. He emphasised the critical role of raising awareness and educating communities about the benefits of tree planting.
"We refer to the seedlings as little trees because they are in the early stages of their life cycle. By planting them, we introduce them to the environment, allowing them to adapt and grow. Just as a newborn baby is introduced to the world and carefully nurtured, these plants require our attention and care to thrive.
"We plant these seedlings with great care, nurturing them as we would nurture young children," Prof. Sam explained. "We ensure they receive the proper conditions to thrive and occasionally measure their growth to monitor their progress. Just as children grow and develop over time, these trees will also grow, symbolising the life and care we invest in them."
Prof. Sam highlighted the manifold benefits that trees provide, urging students to embrace tree planting rather than felling trees. "So, we grow, we manage them well, and then we can have all their benefits. I urge you to also carry this idea to your friends," he encouraged.
Prof. Benjamin Ghansah, Head of the Department of Agricultural Science Education, shared insights into the department's ongoing commitment to afforestation. He noted that since the inception of the tree-planting exercise two years ago, DASEES-UEW had successfully planted nearly 2,000 seedlings.
"One of the things that we pride ourselves on is that we are all attesting to what is happening currently in the country with the emergence of climate change and its attendant effects. So, when we plant trees, we know that it reduces the amount of carbon dioxide in the air and, in turn, limits the depletion of the ozone layer. In our small way, we are contributing to efforts globally to reduce the emission of poisonous and harmful gases into the atmosphere," Prof. Ghansah asserted.
The initiative received an enthusiastic reception from the local educational community. Madam Agnes Awekeya, Headmistress of the University Practice, South A&B Junior High School, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to DASEES-UEW for enhancing the school's green cover. She pledged to ensure that the newly planted trees would be well cared for.
"We will do our best to protect the trees by assigning classes to water the flowers and the trees on the compound," Madam Awekeya assured.
This initiative is a testament to UEW's commitment to environmental sustainability and its proactive stance in combating climate change. By involving young students in tree planting, DASEES-UEW not only enhances local ecosystems but also instills a sense of environmental responsibility in the next generation.
