This year’s Earth Day was commemorated yesterday in Accra with advice to citizens to prioritise their health by consuming wholesome foods.
In a statement signed by the Executive Director of Meatless Monday, Ghana, an NGO, Emmanuel Fiagbey, as part of activities marking the day, he urged people to adjust their lifestyles by eating less meat and more plant-based foods such as whole grains, legumes, vegetables and fruits.
He said they must also avoid fast foods and sugary “power drinks” in favour of clean water.
Mr Fiagbey also urged them to keep their environment clean at all times, at home, school, and the workplace.
The theme for this year’s celebration was: “Our power our planet.”
Mr Fiagbey explained that the theme “reflects the current economic, environmental, and civic conditions surrounding us.
“It also serves as a reminder of our role as tenants of the earth who must work to shape these conditions,” he added.
Active participation
The organisation further called on the youth to actively participate in community clean-up and tree planting exercises, and organised marches to advocate the end to disastrous mining practices such as galamsey, wrongful fishing practices and over-grazing; destruction of farmlands in search of gold and other minerals, and the pollution of rivers and other water sources.
According to the statement, simply “reading a book on environmental preservation on this day is a great way to start,” adding that “progress does not happen in silence—it happens when people show up”.
Reflection
The organisation further encouraged citizens to reflect on the state of the environment and their personal contribution to environmental decay, which it said had led “to our forest cover being significantly reduced, and our rivers being turned into muddy streams”.
It also touched on issues of rising sea levels caused by harmful practices, including encroachment on the seabed.
The organisation said that the situation was rendering families homeless and also impacting food security.
“Also of concern is the fact that a large quantity of agricultural produce is going waste through poor storage while many people are going hungry,” it added.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh