By Gilbert Azeem Tiroog

Nangodi (U/E), June 5, GNA – The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in the Nabdam District on Thursday joined the rest of the world to commemorate World Environment Day, with an inter-school quiz competition aimed at raising awareness about plastic pollution and promoting environmentally responsible behaviour among students.

The event, held at Pelungu, brought together students from Yakote Junior High School (JHS), Pelungu JHS, and Nangodi JHS, who battled in a keenly contested quiz competition centered on the theme: “Ending Plastic Pollution.”

At the end of the competition, Yakote JHS emerged the winner with 28 points, closely followed by Pelungu JHS with 25 points, while Nangodi JHS came third with 24 points.

Addressing participants at the event, Mr Joachim Elbazar, the NCCE District Director for Nabdam, described plastic pollution as a growing menace in the district and a serious threat to both the environment and public health. He urged students to become advocates for clean environments in their schools and communities.

“Plastic pollution is a global crisis, and Nabdam is no exception. Our changing consumption habits and reliance on disposable packaging have led to widespread plastic waste in homes, school compounds, and public spaces,” Mr Elbazar said.

He added that poor waste disposal practices, including dumping plastics in gutters and open burning, have resulted in clogged drains, polluted water bodies, and air contamination, posing severe health risks to residents.

“Studies show that only 2 to 5 percent of plastic waste is effectively collected, with the rest ending up in landfills, waterways, or being burnt, which releases harmful toxins,” he noted. “Every piece of plastic we discard today becomes a burden on future generations.”

The 2025 World Environment Day, marked globally on June 5, is a flagship initiative of the United Nations to inspire awareness and action for environmental protection. This year’s theme emphasizes the urgent need for individuals, institutions, and governments to embrace the principles of the 3Rs Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle to combat the growing plastic waste crisis.

Mr Elbazar said the celebration aligns with the Commission’s constitutional mandate under Article 233 of the 1992 Constitution and Act 452 to promote civic education and national responsibility.

He referenced past NCCE initiatives such as the 2019 “A Clean Ghana, Our Responsibility” campaign and the Civic Fest youth engagement strategy, emphasizing their relevance in shaping responsible citizenship and environmental stewardship.

He further encouraged the students from the three participating schools to carry the message of environmental cleanliness back to their schools and households.

“Let us join hands to safeguard the future of Nabdam and Ghana as a whole. Each of you here has a role to play in ending plastic pollution,” he said.

The quiz competition served not only as a learning platform but also as a call to action for the youth to rise and take charge of protecting the environment.

GNA