To combat climate change and restore degraded lands, the Dagliga Junior High School (JHS) in the Nabdam District of the Upper East Region has successfully transformed a once bare landscape into a flourishing tree garden.
A tree planting project empowered the students at the school to plant and nurture the trees around the facility and the maturing trees have started offering the needed shade, creating a comfortable outdoor space for students to study and relax and they also serve as effective windbreaks.
The initiative is also protecting the school’s structure from harsh weather conditions while reducing potential damage to the roof and the school is poised to become a model for others in the district and the region at large, illustrating how collective action can lead to positive environmental change.
The tree garden project formed part of the Presentation Brothers Earth Club climate change initiative, with support from Misean Cara, a mission support from Ireland.
Mr Nsoh Samuel Akoliga, the Headteacher of the Dagliga JHS in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), said the project donated a poly tank, cutlass, pickaxe, and about 500 seedlings to the school.
This, he said, aimed at promoting environmental sustainability and enhancing the school environment and the move motivated the teachers and students to commit to transforming the once bare land into a tree garden.
He thanked Misean Cara from Ireland and the Presentation Brothers Earth Club for their generous support which exemplified the power of collaboration in addressing global challenges like climate change and appealed for more assistance for the project to be expanded to other schools.
Mr Kumihe Emmanuel Nayentoun, the Assistant Headteacher and Coordinator of the Earth Club of the school, noted that the newly planted trees had not only beautified the school but had also provided essential benefits to the students and the surrounding community.
Mr Nayentoun said “gone are the days we were always having activities such as debates and quizzes inside our classes, and because we don’t have workable fans, we were always sweating, making it uneasy for the students to cope, but with these trees, in the near future such activities can be carried out here conveniently”.
Mr Babil Robert, the School Management Committee (SMC) Chairman, said the community was inspired by the project and appealed for support to extend the same to the community to tackle the depletion of the vegetation cover.
Miss Kazina Diana, a student and member of the Earth Club, said the trees had made learning comforting as they were providing shade for them to study.
Master Perigba Issac, another student and Earth Club member, said through the project he had learned how to plant trees and nurture them to survive.
GNA
HT/KOA/CAA
10 Oct. 2024
