GMB Second Runner-up launches environmental Foundation

Accra, Aug. 3, GNA - Ms Ama Odame Okyere, Second Runner up of TV3's Ghana Most Beautiful (GMB) 2014, has launched a Foundation to promote good sanitation and healthy environment.

The Ama Odame Okyere Foundation, which is a non-profit organisation, also aims at promoting an environmentally-friendly mining activities devoid of child labour.

The activities would be carried out through public education on environmental issues.

Ms Odame Okyere said the Foundation would focus on the youth as the main force to drive the quest for a healthy environment because they would be able to enlighten others once they understand the issues of the environment.

She said the Foundation would embark on various initiatives such as engaging heads of junior high schools and primary schools and establishment of environmental fun clubs in schools.

'Another approach will be engaging traditional leaders, and gracing cultural events to speak with gatherings on issues of the environment; and embarking on community outreaches to speak with the members on cultivating a good sanitation habit and healthy environment especially at mining areas she said.

The GMB Second Runner-up said although the Foundation is young, it has already undertaken many social activities such as organising a clean-up exercise in Nkawkaw which recorded a massive turnout by the citizens and a donation of assorted items to the Bless the Children International Home also known as the Nkwatia SOS.

Ms Odame Okyere, who was also Ghana's representative in the 2014 Miss Earth World competition, said the Foundation had donated cash and assorted items to Trinity Home Academy, an Orphanage in Tutu, Eastern Region; and through the support of Sasso, a brand of Insecticide, distributed 100,000 customised exercised books to pupils in the E/R.

'We also participated in Okyehene's Tree Planting exercise in Kedewase; the National Sanitation Day where I served as an Ambassador for the government's initiative; and a tree planting exercise in the Ga Central Municipality in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency'.

Mr Michael Ali Sandoh of the Mining Department of the Environmental Protection Agency said Ms Odame Okyere's project to promote a clean environment and a healthy people is appropriate.

Mr Seth Acheampong, Member of Parliament (MP) of Mpraeso, said issues on land degradation are being ignored by the authorities because of the profits accruing from mining areas.

He expressed gratitude to Ms Odame Okyere for undertaking the initiative and showing concern on issues of land degradation, poor sanitation and the need for a healthy living.

Mr Kweku Agyenim Boateng, MP for Brekum West, advised Ms Odame Okyere to use perseverance to promote the Foundation, adding that such initiatives usually start nicely and then collapse along the way.

Mr Agyenim Boateng asked the public to support the initiative and reduce the effects of climate change on the country and unhealthy living among the citizenry.

GNA