UCC's Prof. Georgina Oduro Bemoans Destruction of Inherited Environment from Ancestors ‎

‎Prof. Georgina Yaa Oduro, Head of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at UCC, has bemoaned the increasing destruction of Ghana’s natural environment, saying society has destroyed much of what previous generations, including their ancestors, protected and preserved.

‎She was speaking at the 10th Annual Conference of the Ghana Sociological and Anthropological Association, GASS, held at the University of Cape Coast in the Central Region.

‎The conference, dubbed “Our Future at Risk: Social Exclusion, Resource Extraction and Security in Contemporary Africa,” brought together academics, researchers and stakeholders to deliberate on social and environmental challenges confronting the continent.

‎Professor Oduro stressed the need for society to reconsider its approach to the environment and ensure that natural resources are protected for future generations.

‎The Provost of the College of Humanities and Legal Studies at the University of Cape Coast, Prof. Daniel Agyapong, also called for employment alternatives for young people engaged in illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

‎He said addressing illegal mining requires practical interventions that provide affected youth with sustainable sources of livelihood.

‎Professor Agyapong further advocated the use of technology, including drones, to help tackle illegal mining and monitor areas affected by the menace.

‎He noted that many young people are already familiar with modern technology and could therefore be engaged in its application to support efforts to combat illegal mining.

‎Meanwhile, the Assistant Executive Director of the Wassa Association of Communities Affected by Mining, WACAM, Mrs. Hannah Owusu-Koranteng, stressed the importance of following due processes irrespective of the individual or group given the opportunity to operate in mining.

‎She said transparency and adherence to established procedures must remain central to interventions aimed at protecting mining-affected communities and the environment.

‎The speakers therefore called for stronger collaboration among government, academia, communities and other stakeholders to address environmental degradation and ensure sustainable management of Ghana’s natural resources.

‎Sompaonline.com// Francis Thompson

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