The Strategic Youth Network for Development Ghana (SYND), a non-governmental organization, focused on climate change and biodiversity, has educated fisherfolk and young residents of Keta on the effects of climate change and its link to ocean governance.
The sensitisation programme, which is part of SYND’s project on ocean governance, aims to involve the youth in decision-making on natural resource management and environmental conservation. It also seeks to promote youth activism in ocean conservation discussions.
The educational session, held at the Keta Market Square over the weekend, saw the participation of about 100 individuals, including young fishers, fishmongers, and others whose livelihoods depend on the ocean.
Madam Salomey Adjei, Project Lead at SYND, educated participants on the relationship between climate change and ocean governance. She explained the concept of climate change, its impact on livelihoods, and how human activities contribute to ocean degradation.
She highlighted harmful practices such as the use of agrochemicals that drain into the ocean, destructive fishing methods like light fishing, dynamite fishing, and cyanide fishing, as well as the impact of plastic waste pollution on marine life.
“Apart from the effects of climate change on the ocean, human activities also put marine life at risk. The use of acidic farm chemicals, indiscriminate deforestation of coastal vegetation, and the improper disposal of plastic waste threaten ocean sustainability,” she emphasized.
She further explained that these harmful activities contribute to declining fish stocks, making fishing less sustainable for local communities.
Madam Yolanda Araba Aidoo, also a Project Lead, led discussions on ocean conservation. She urged participants to engage in planting vegetation along water bodies, particularly coastal areas, to enhance environmental sustainability.
She also emphasised the need for proper disposal of plastic waste to curb pollution and prevent the harmful effects of open burning, which contributes to global warming.
Speaking on the biological importance of oceans, she noted that, “The ocean absorbs about 40 percent of the heat on earth and produces approximately 50 percent of the oxygen that living organisms depend on.”
Mr. Kofi Ezekiel, Executive Coordinator of SYND, stated that the Keta project was the second of its kind, following a similar event held in Cape Coast a few days earlier under the “Youth Activism on Ocean Governance” initiative.
Other facilitators included Justina Amoah, Beatrice Naa Korkoi, Enoch Ayane, Samuel Swanzy-Baffoe, and Enoch Nii Lamptey.
The program was hosted by Mr. Gabriel Dzikunu, Assemblymember for Keta Central, along with Mr. Benard Worlali, a youth leader.
Source: GNA
