Professor Akwasi Asabere – Amayaw, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba, has called on current generation to plan and create for themselves an appropriate quality environment to sustain and improve its current state.

He said environmental awareness and sustainability for quality living in the society is not only a compelling necessity but also an obligation, adding that, in order to succeed in this, Ghanaians need to provide special environmental information which will be used to address any environmental problem.

Professor Akwasi made the call at the opening ceremony of a three day 5th Biennial International Conference, organized by the Home Economics Research Association of Ghana (HERAG) at the University of Education, Winneba.

He believed, the sustainable use of all natural resources should be the basis for healthy, prosperous communities, sustainable livelihood, and venerated the Department of Home Economics Education of the University of Education, Winneba, for bringing together experts from all over Ghana and Nigeria to deliberate on the issues affecting the environment and how to “arrest” them.

Professor Akwasi Asabere- Amayaw said, living in a serene and clean neighborhood arouses emotions of pride and admiration but Ghanaians however in daily life practice often forget that such beauty and value can be maintained only with great attention and care.

He further explained that, ecological principles, processes and phenomena in nature enriches man to perceive the environment as a whole and cautioned that “editing” the environment according to man’s needs must not disrupt the functional balance in the environment.

Ernest Kusi, the Central Regional Manager of Zoomlion Ghana Limited in his address said issues such as ineffective waste disposal system, pollution, deforestation, uncontrolled extraction of minerals pose a serious threat to environmental sustainability and called for better environmental approach to revise its inclination.

“One of the pillars of environmental awareness and education, however, there seems to be inadequate and unco-ordinated awareness in the country”, he added.

Consequently, there is the need for other institutions like EPA, the Universities / Polytechnics and media to come on board to help achieve the objectives.

Mr. Kusi said, Environmental sustainability will not be achieved if people are not well informed on the issues and advised Ghanaians to obey environmental bye – laws to sustain the environment since it’s a shared responsibility.

Professors Alexander Nii Pappoe, Vice Dean , School of biological science, university of cape coast In his lead presentation two (2) said over exploitation by human causes massive destruction to natural ecosystem.

He added that selective removal of an individual species can unbalance ecosystems and all other organizations within them and advised Ghanaians to desist from such practices to sustain the environment.

The Conference was on the theme “Environmental awareness and sustainability for quality living”.