Each and every day, a fertile land is degraded in the rural communities as a result of the effort of the people to find food for themselves and their families. Activities such as illegal mining “galamsey” and some farming practices are some of the factors that contributes to climate change. “Galamsey” (Gather them and sell) has been a major problem for the Atwima Nwabiagya Municipality particularly in the Amanchia, Kobeng, Nkonteng and Seidi rural communities. As this galamsey activity continue to ruin the fertile land for agriculture, it has also heighten the act of indiscriminate waste disposal in these communities. This is due to the fact that, a lot of people from outside the community come to these communities for their economic activities.
As the world seeks to improve the climate hence the formulation for the Sustainable Development Goal 13 – Climate Action, it is therefore imperative for awareness creation on the dangers of galamsey activities on the people and planet. As galamsey seeks to enhance the economic situation of the people, it also impact negatively on the people and the planet. A small survey on 50 youth in the Amanchia community by the Center for Integrated Rural and Child Development (CIRCDev) in March 2020 on their awareness of the existence of the Sustainable Development Goal indicated that, 88 percent of the respondent have no idea of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Based on this survey, an awareness program dubbed “Community sensitization on responsible mining, farming practices and proper waste disposal” has been designed to educate and sensitize the communities on the dangers on their action on themselves, their families and the planet. This program uses drama to catch the attention of the youth in these communities who are engaged in galamsey to understand the consequences of their actions on themselves and the planet. The program seeks to inform the youth and the general people in the selected communities about the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly, SDG 13 – Climate Action.
At the end of the campaign, it is expected that the people in these community have become aware of the SDG 13 – Climate Action and what the world seeks to achieve under this goal. It is also expected that, the youth who are engaged in this galamsey activities understand the consequences of their action on themselves. In all, the campaign is expected to reach a total of 400 young people from these communities.