Pupils of the Yagzore Primary School in the Talensi District have taken centre stage in the advocacy against environmental degradation, promoting climate action and environmental restoration through creative art.
Using environmental poster drawings, the pupils educated community members on the dangers of environmental destruction and underscored the urgent need to restore tree cover to mitigate the impact of climate change.
They advocated the adoption and scaling up of Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) as a sustainable approach to restoring degraded lands and forest reserves in communities.
FMNR is a simple and low-cost land and forest restoration technique that increases tree density on farmland without planting new seedlings.
The method involves protecting and managing existing tree stumps and shrubs through selective pruning to stimulate natural regeneration.
The pupils demonstrated these lessons during a community outreach programme organised by the Forum for Natural Regeneration (FONAR), with support from Heidehof Stiftung of Germany and Awaken Trees Foundation of Austria.
The event formed part of activities marking this year’s World Environment Day, celebrated globally on June 5.
It brought together parents, teachers, community members, and pupils, providing a platform for the young environmental advocates to display drawings depicting environmental challenges and share messages on the need to protect natural resources.
Master Simon Dekamive, a Primary Five pupil and member of the school’s Eco-club, used his drawing to highlight the effects of indiscriminate tree cutting.
He explained that deforestation leads to soil erosion, reduced rainfall, loss of wild fruits and fodder for livestock, and contributes to desertification.
He therefore urged community members to desist from indiscriminate tree felling and embrace FMNR practices to restore tree cover and improve environmental conditions.
In a speech read on his behalf, Mr Sumaila Seidu Saaka, Executive Director of FONAR, said the theme for this year’s World Environment Day, “Inspired by Nature: For Climate, For Our Future,” was a call to protect trees, soil, and water resources while restoring degraded landscapes.
He noted that Ghana’s northern savannah ecological zone continued to suffer significant environmental degradation caused by bushfires, unsustainable farming practices, and excessive wood harvesting, resulting in declining soil fertility and reduced tree cover.
Mr Saaka called for the rapid scaling up of FMNR across the five regions of Northern Ghana, describing it as a cost-effective and sustainable solution.
“Across the globe, FMNR has regenerated landscapes that experts once considered beyond recovery. Ghana’s degraded farmlands are no different. The practice has zero cost to farmers compared to conventional tree planting. No seedling purchase, nursery establishment, or seedling transport is required – the trees are already in the ground.
“FMNR aligns with the Government’s Tree for Life Initiative and Ghana’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) commitments,” he added.
Mr Saaka commended the school’s FMNR Eco-club for nurturing trees on its demonstration plot and empowering pupils to become champions of environmental protection.
“These children are reminding us that restoring even one tree at a time restores our future,” he said.
Mr Stephen Aneera, an Eco-club teacher, expressed appreciation to FONAR and its partners for establishing an FMNR demonstration plot in the school.
He noted that the initiative had helped pupils acquire practical knowledge in tree management and environmental conservation.
He explained that the poster drawing contest was designed to encourage children to creatively express lessons learned about environmental protection and tree conservation.
Ms Margaret Mba, a community member, praised the initiative, saying the involvement of children in tree care and environmental education served as an important reminder for adults to take tree protection and regeneration more seriously.