There is a Patriotic
song that every Ghanaian tongue knows; “Yen Ara Asasi Ni”, which simply translates:
this is our own land. It a patriotic song that charges all inhabitants of the
land to contribute their quota to making the nation or earth a better place. Mother Earth
day or world earth day is an ancient concept common to many languages and
cultures, acknowledging the connection to the planet which sustains and
nurtures us. The Earth is the ultimate mother, an astounding planet
that has, since time immemorial, supported life in myriad forms. As humans, we
outgrow the need for constant maternal care. Interestingly, we can never
outgrow our reliance on Mother Earth. As long as we live, we need
air, water, fertile soil and the countless other gifts that this planet
bestows.
This year,
Mother Earth Day coincides with the signing ceremony for the
Paris Agreement on Climate Change, which will take place at the UN Headquarters
in New York. Celebrated on the 22nd of April yearly,
International Mother Earth Day recognizes that
the Earth and its ecosystems provide its inhabitants with life and
sustenance. It also aims to raise awareness that humans have a collective
responsibility to promote harmony with nature and to balance the economic,
social and environmental needs of present and future generations.This year’s
theme of the International Mother Earth Day is “Trees
for the earth”. Trees will be the first of five major goals to be
undertaken in honour of the five-year countdown to the 50th anniversary.
On these initiatives will make a significant and measurable impact on
the Earth and will serve as the foundation of a cleaner, healthier
and more sustainable planet for all.
Abibimman
foundation, together with The Coalition of NGOs in Tema (Greater Accra Region
of Ghana) commemorated this year’s celebration of World Earth Day with a talk
on trees with the youth and students of Sakumono TMA No.1&2 JHS. The
programme saw the presence of over 200 students and special guests including:
Mr. Jeruson, a director representing the Tema Mayor; Mr. Appiah representing the
Managing Director for Tema Development Corporation; Kenneth Nana Amoateng, the
CEO of Abibimman Foundation; Mrs. Theresa Tetteh, the Circuit Supervisor for
Tema Metro of the Ghana Education Service and Lamisi of “Ghana’s Most
Beautiful.” fame 2009. The programme climaxed with a tree planting exercise
that gave birth to several “ambassadors for the earth” and the students pledged
to take care of the trees planted today with zeal and dedication for posterity.
The headmaster of the School, Mr. Richard Parku, was very grateful to Abibimman
Foundation and its kind sponsors, Total Logistics Limited and the Supermaritime
Group Ghana Ltd, for making it an honour to choose his school for the
programme. He raised the issue of how important the trees would be to his
school as the trees would serve as windbreak to protect the roof of the school
which breaks down frequently following heavy storms.
As the school is situated close to the
Atlantic ocean, the wind that comes in are very intense, thereby causing loss
and damage as well as financial loss to them as they have to always bear the
cost of maintenance of the roof every now and then. In a statement read on the
behalf of the Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive concerning the programme, the Mayor
pledged to host next year’s Earth day celebration and involve Abibimman
Foundation following its tremendous efforts over the years to aid in greening
Tema. The Tema Mayor also added that, he would make it a point to liaise with
the Organization to implement other projects in the Metropolis in the future.
The Managing Director of Tema Development Corporation was also glad to always
be part of the activities of the Foundation in Tema. In a statement also read
on his behalf, emphasized the work Abibimman Foundation played in the
development of the metropolis over the years and hope the foundation extends
its projects and Programmes to every corner of Tema. Amongst the several trees planted for today
were fruit trees to help supplement the school feeding program with vitamin C.
Target
15.2 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) captures the importance of
promoting the sustainable management of all types of trees and forests and, in
many cases, enhance the socio-economic contributions they offer mankind and as
we celebrate International Mother Earth Day, it is virtually impossible to sum
up the importance of trees and forests in just a few words. Trees are essential
to support life on Earth as we know it. Let us take action for the
conservation, restoration and sustainable use of forests in order to ensure
that they continue to provide the vital products and services so necessary to
the lives of billions of people around the world, to address climate change, and protect the Earth for future generations.
