The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in the Anloga District of the Volta Region has urged the public to maintain and protect the environment as a daily routine to improve the quality of life for all.

According to the NCCE, adopting environmentally friendly habits can significantly impact the health and well-being of individuals and communities.

Togbi Hatsu III, the NCCE Director at Anloga, said in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that maintaining a good environment is crucial for human health, biodiversity, and economic well-being.

A clean environment also provides numerous benefits, including reducing the risk of communicable diseases, supporting wildlife, and promoting sustainable development.

“Adopting and prioritising environmental protection would enable every individual to contribute to creating a healthier and more sustainable future,” Togbi Hatsu said.

He outlined several ways to maintain and protect the environment, explaining that recycling, reusing plastics, and composting organic waste would significantly minimise the amount of waste sent to landfills.

He added that planting trees helps absorb carbon dioxide, produce oxygen, and support biodiversity. He also highlighted the importance of transitioning to renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Togbi Hatsu stated: “Some waste materials, such as rubbers and plastics, take over 400 years or more to decay completely, which underscores the importance of effective waste management to prevent communicable diseases.”

He emphasised that environmental protection is a collective responsibility that requires the involvement of individuals, communities, organisations, and governments. Everyone has a role to play in maintaining a clean and healthy environment by making conscious lifestyle choices and advocating for policy changes that support environmental protection.

He added that to keep the environment clean and healthy, the public should adopt various measures, including the proper disposal of waste, keeping public spaces clean, and promoting good hygiene practices to help prevent the spread of diseases.

He appealed to the government, philanthropists, and corporate organisations to help establish recycling companies and factories in various communities to manage waste materials properly for the benefit of all.

Togbi Hatsu urged the public to take full responsibility for nurturing the trees planted on ‘World Environment Day’ to help create a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable environment that supports the well-being of all.

He concluded by saying that incorporating environmentally friendly habits into daily life and supporting sustainable practices would enable individuals to make a significant impact on the health and well-being of their communities. He especially emphasised that minimising the use of polythene bags would promote a healthier environment.