The leadership of the Institute of Public Relations (IPR) Ghana, as part of activities to mark the institute’s 50th anniversary, visited the Osu Presbyterian Girls' School in Accra and educated the students on how to protect the environment.

The session, Environmental Sustainability, was the second in a series of events. The aim of the initiative is to use communication strategies to help the students understand the causes of environmental degradation, the importance of preserving the environment, and their role in protecting it.

According to IPR, the initiative seeks to help children realise that they are key channels of communication in the context of environmental conservation, which is a vital part of this education.

Speaking during the engagement, the President of IPR, Esther A.N. Cobbah, encouraged the students to embrace activities that protect the environment and to avoid actions that contribute to its degradation.

“For people to care about the environment, they need to be educated about it. Public education is one of the many things that the Public Relations profession does, and we do this with the involvement of members of the public. The Institute of Public Relations, Ghana, therefore, invites you all to spread the message about the importance of environmental conservation. We also hope that some of you will aspire to become Public Relations professionals,” she said.

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The Vice-President of the Institute, Donald Gwira, called for collective action in tackling environmental degradation, stating, “Environmental responsibility starts with each of us.”

Following their interaction with the school, the delegation presented five dustbins to assist in waste management.

Mr Gwira added, “These bins symbolise the importance of proper waste management, and we urge you to be champions of environmental cleanliness in your community.”

Madam Vera Dansoa Ayisi of the school expressed gratitude for the gesture and assured the IPR Ghana delegation that the bins would be used effectively to instil good waste management practices in the students. “This thoughtful gesture is a significant step toward creating a clean and healthy environment for our students,” she said.

According to members of the team, they have conducted similar activities at the Ernest Bruce Basic School, Adabraka, on Kojo Thompson Road in Accra.

This initiative comes amid growing concerns over waste management in Ghana. According to environmental reports, the country generates over three million tonnes of waste annually, with poor disposal practices contributing to pollution and health risks.

The activity, according to IPR Ghana, reflects their focus on raising awareness and driving action on critical societal issues.

IPR Ghana’s 50th anniversary celebrations continue with a series of events aimed at empowering communities, fostering public awareness, and promoting professional excellence.