Our Environment, Our Responsibility: NCCE Inspires Children to Become Planet Heroes

The fight to protect Ghana’s environment starts early, and the children of today have an important role to play in safeguarding the planet they will inherit tomorrow. With this message, the Twifo Hemang Lower Denkyira District Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) engaged children of the Effutu Koforidua Methodist Church during their Children’s Retreat.

The educational programme, held on 7 August 2026 at the Methodist Church, focused on environmental sustainability, with particular attention to illegal mining, sand winning, plastic waste, sanitation and the desilting of drains.

The engagement was led by Mr. Ernest Antwi, Principal Civic Education Officer at the NCCE Twifo Hemang District Office, who encouraged the children to recognise environmental protection as a shared responsibility.

Explaining the concept of environmental sustainability, Mr. Antwi told the children that it means using natural resources wisely so that both present and future generations can benefit from them.

He cautioned the pupils about the devastating effects of illegal mining and sand winning, particularly on forests, rivers and other natural resources. He explained that illegal mining introduces harmful chemicals into water bodies, turning them brown and potentially making the water unsafe for human consumption. Sand winning, he added, can weaken riverbanks, increase erosion and pose risks to communities and buildings.

Turning attention to sanitation, Mr. Antwi encouraged the children to practise good hygiene by washing their hands with soap after using the toilet, sweeping and weeding their surroundings and keeping their homes, schools and communities clean. He noted that a clean environment can help reduce the spread of diseases such as cholera, malaria and diarrhoea.

He also explained how improper disposal of waste contributes to flooding. When plastics and other rubbish are thrown into gutters, they obstruct the free flow of water, particularly during heavy rains. The children were therefore encouraged to avoid littering and actively participate in school and community clean-up exercises, including efforts to desilt drains.

As part of the call to action, the children were encouraged to become “Planet Heroes” by reducing their use of plastics, reusing materials where possible, recycling and keeping their surroundings clean. They were also urged to become ambassadors for environmental protection by educating their peers, parents and community members on the dangers of illegal mining and sand winning.

The engagement ended with a strong reminder that protecting the environment is not the responsibility of government or environmental agencies alone. Every citizen, regardless of age, has a role to play.

Our environment is our shared inheritance, and protecting it today means securing a healthier and safer tomorrow.