World Bank estimates that, Ghana loses an estimated US$11billion annually as the cost of environmental degradation in the country.
The report establishes that environmental degradation and unsustainable natural resource use, continue to pose a significant risk to future economic growth and threat public and ecosystem health.
Air pollution alone cost Ghana estimated $2.5 billion ,and causes about 28,000 deaths from Non-Communicable Diseases, such as ischaemic heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer.
The academia in the environment sector wants close partnership with government for research and intensive environmental literacy in the country to curb the alarming rate of environmental degradation
Dr.Charles Brempong -Yeboah, Rector of University College of Agriculture and Environmental Studies (UCAES), Bunso in the Eastern region for instance believes researched backed environmental awareness is critical to ensuring environmental sustainability.
He said many Ghanaians do not know the consequences of their action towards the environment therefore sustained public education will help arouse consciousness of the people.
An Environmental expert also Dean of students at UCAES Dr.Bernard Kwame Oppong Kusi said some of the core mandates of the University is to enhance sustainable exploitation and preservation of the ecosystem through teaching, research and practical dissemination of environmental information and knowledge therefore committed to strategic partnership with government and institutions to create more awareness on environment.
They said this at the sidelines of a graduation and matriculation ceremony for 32 and 82 fresh students respectively.
The University affiliated to KNUST, is a brain child of the Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, established in 2011 by the Okyeman Council to train students for environmental sustainability and food security and safety.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
