Accra School of Hygiene Commemorates World Environmental Health Day with a Call for Resilience and Environmental Awareness

The Accra School of Hygiene commemorated World Environmental Health Day, emphasizing resilience through disaster risk reduction, climate change strategies, and community engagement. Experts highlighted the importance of awareness regarding environmental impact and collaborative efforts to improve public health. Discussions focused on mitigating pollution and harmful practices that threaten human health.

The Environmental Health and Sanitation Department at the Accra School of Hygiene recently observed World Environmental Health Day, emphasizing the importance of building resilient communities through effective disaster risk reduction and strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation. This global observance, held annually on September 26, serves as a crucial platform to discuss pressing environmental and health issues while promoting actions that contribute to a healthier planet. Dr. Tsekpetse Akuamoah Kweku, an environmental health expert, articulated that resilience equips communities with the capacity to prepare for, respond to, and recover from adverse events. He underscored that the intensifying challenges posed by climate change and natural disasters necessitate proactive measures. Although natural disasters result from natural processes, human activities can exacerbate their effects, leading to significant damage to lives, property, and the environment. Mr. Emmanuel Kwadjo Gmanab, serving as National President of the Ghana Environmental Health Officers Association (GEHOA), highlighted the day’s potential in fostering engagement across all age groups regarding the importance of both environmental and human health. He noted the day also aims to inform, educate, and empower communities about critical issues such as air and water pollution, hazardous waste, and the unsustainable use of resources that directly impact human health. In discussing the interconnectedness of mankind and the environment, Mr. Smile Kobina Ametsi, the principal of the Accra School of Hygiene, remarked that increased awareness of individuals’ actions impacts environmental conditions is necessary for progress. He delineated various harmful activities, such as illegal mining, improper waste disposal, and deforestation, which contribute to the proliferation of diseases. Therefore, he advocated for sustainable practices like afforestation to combat global warming and its potential consequences, such as rising sea levels and related health challenges. Mr. Michael Affrodofe, the head of the Environmental Health and Sanitation Department, urged individuals to collaborate with the government in maintaining environmental safety. This collaboration is deemed vital for promoting a sustainable future.

World Environmental Health Day is recognized on September 26 each year, deploying its focus on the essential relationship between environmental health and public health. It seeks to draw attention to critical environmental issues that have direct implications on human health, such as pollution, waste management, and climate change. The observance is an opportunity for various stakeholders to advocate for sustainable practices that protect and enhance community health and well-being. The call for disaster resilience has become increasingly relevant in light of escalating climate-related disasters, which necessitate communities to be better prepared and equipped to manage their consequences.

World Environmental Health Day serves as an important reminder of the interdependence between human activity and environmental stability. The discussions echo the necessity for collective action towards sustainable environmental practices that not only preserve our planet but also safeguard public health. The experts from the Accra School of Hygiene and the Ghana Environmental Health Officers Association have highlighted significant pathways forward, including community engagement and governmental collaboration in addressing pressing environmental challenges.

Original Source: gna.org.gh