Birds flitting through the trees and the sight of colourful butterflies among the vegetation welcomed media practitioners and environmental enthusiasts to a morning of exploring the rich biodiversity of the Legon Botanical Gardens on the University of Ghana campus in Accra.
A bird walk, organised by MTN Ghana in collaboration with the Ghana Wildlife Society (GWS) on Saturday, August 29, as part of activities to mark MTN’s Sustainability Month, brought members of the MTN Media Republic and some CSOs together to reconnect with nature, learn about biodiversity and reflect on the importance of protecting the environment.
Led by the Executive Director of the GWS, Dr Sandra Owusu-Gyamfi, the walk offered participants the opportunity to observe different species of birds and butterflies in their natural surroundings while learning about their ecological importance.
Dr Owusu-Gyamfi encouraged participants to develop a deeper appreciation for birds and other wildlife, saying greater understanding and connection with nature could inspire people to become more conscious of their responsibility to protect the environment.
She added that simple, everyday actions could contribute significantly to environmental protection, in line with the theme for MTN’s Sustainability Month, “Small Actions, Big Impact.”
Dr Owusu-Gyamfi subsequently urged Ghanaians to reduce their reliance on plastics and consider environmentally friendly alternatives in their homes, workplaces and public spaces.
She said plastic waste, particularly microplastics, posed a serious threat to marine life and the wider ecosystem, stressing the need for individuals, businesses and institutions to take deliberate action to reduce plastic pollution.
The Acting General Manager of Sustainability at MTN, Mrs Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, said the walk formed part of the company's Sustainability Month activities, which seek to demonstrate how seemingly small actions can contribute to meaningful environmental and social impact.
She described the walk as an opportunity for participants to reconnect with nature while strengthening relationships among MTN, media practitioners and other partners.
Mrs Fiagbenu said MTN was putting its sustainability commitments into practice through initiatives including the installation of solar panels at its offices and MTN House, as well as waste-recycling programmes.
She expressed appreciation to the media community for participating in the exercise and said MTN looked forward to more initiatives promoting sustainability, wellbeing and positive impact on society.
The Senior Manager of Corporate Communications at MTN, Ms Efua Falconer, said involving media practitioners in such activities was important because it helped them better understand sustainability issues and the role of businesses and individuals in protecting the environment.
The President of the MTN Media Republic, Naa Dzagble Ago Quaye, commended members who participated in the exercise, describing it as educative, interactive, inspiring and physically beneficial.
She said the experience allowed members to step away from their usual routines, connect with nature and gain a deeper understanding of the importance of protecting Ghana’s rich biodiversity.
She said the experience also demonstrated that meaningful change could begin with simple actions by individuals and groups.
The organisers expressed the hope that the experience would inspire participants to adopt more environmentally responsible practices and become advocates for the protection of the country’s natural environment.
