VC calls for collective commitment on environmental protection
The University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) at Somanya in the Yilo Krobo Municipality in the Eastern Region has launched its fifth anniversary celebrations with a call on the country to develop intellectual capacity and effective policies to address climate change challenges.
The launch, which was held at the university’s Auditorium at Somanya with a line-up of activities to climax on December 13, attracted the Yilo Krobo Municipal Chief Executive, Francis Akumatey Addo, alumni, traditional rulers from both Yilo and Manya, development agencies, research collaborators, students, and other universities, among others.
The anniversary is on the theme: “Sustaining steps towards securing our environment: Five years of achievements, challenges and progress.”
Vice-Chancellor
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Eric Nyarko-Sampson, in his address, reminded Ghanaians that sustainability of the environment was not an event, but a lifelong commitment.
He said in the short five years, the university had positioned itself as a thought leader in environmental stewardship, sustainability research and inclusive education.
“We have introduced pioneering academic programmes that align with national and global development goals.
Our research and projects have addressed real-world environmental challenges, from natural conservation management, water resource management and renewable energy to biodiversity conservation and sustainable agriculture.
“We have forged meaningful collaborations, both locally and internationally, with governments, NGOs, industries and academic institutions expanding the university’s impact far beyond its campus,” Prof. Nyarko-Sampson added.
UESD establishment
A report to the Ministry of Education in 2014 under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama on the establishment of UESD indicated that in the coming years, the effect of climate change and population growth on agriculture, water resources, natural resources and energy production could significantly impede the socio-economic growth and development of Ghana and derail the country’s ambition of attaining middle-income status.
It, therefore, stressed the urgent need to develop the skills, intellectual capacity, scientific knowledge, tools and effective policies required to address those challenges.
These, according to the report, could be achieved by training and educating the next generation of creative thinkers who would sustainably manage our natural and environmental resources.
The goal of the university is, therefore, to develop this expertise.
Registrar
The Registrar of UESD, Mary Abena Agyepong, said the report, which led to the establishment of the UESD by ACT 898 (2015), further stated that the university would position itself as a centre of excellence in environmental and sustainable development training and research in West Africa.
The university, which started in 2020 with a student population of 78, currently has 1,446 students offering many programmes in the various faculties.
Support
The Chairman of the UESD Council and former Minister of Finance, Seth Terkper, whose address was read on his behalf by the acting Council Chairman, Prof. Paul Dela Ahiatrogah, said the Council would diligently focus on a critical imperative in ensuring UESD was robustly and sustainably resourced.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, described the establishment of UESD as a bold step by the government to strategically address the global environmental crisis and equip the country with the knowledge, research capacity, and skilled professionals needed to tackle it.
