The Acting Director of the Information Services Department (ISD), Dr Winnifred Nafisa Mahama, has reiterated the Department’s commitment to fostering environmental awareness throughout the country to help restore degraded forests.
She said this when she led staff to the Outreach and Audio-Visual Unit of the Department in Accra to plant trees to mark this year’s Green Ghana Day.
Green Ghana Day aims to restore degraded landscapes in the country and contribute to the global effort to mitigate climate change.
Dr Mahama pointed out that Ghana is currently witnessing the detrimental effects of climate change, such as frequent flooding and the rise of temperatures.
She explained that trees are critical in mitigating climate change and improving the environment.
“Research has shown that trees are vital for saving our environment. Over the years, different governments have made efforts toward reforestation, but this time, our efforts are more intense due to the severe climate change impacts on our communities,” she stated.
Highlighting the importance of returning to an agrarian-based climate, Dr Mahama noted the negative impacts of the current Savannah climate on livelihoods.
“We need to intensify our efforts to revert to a greener environment. The Savannah climate adversely affects people’s lives and addressing this is crucial,” she added.
She said ISD’s mandate is to inform, educate, and engage communities, adding that the Department would keep spreading the word and guiding people on where to get support for ongoing environmental initiatives.
The Acting Director also highlighted the role of Public Relations Officers (PROs) in the various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in facilitating activities to ensure the effective implementation of environmental policies.
The national target for this year’s Green Ghana Day is to plant 10 million trees across the country.
Patience Anaadem, ISD
