The Vice Chancellor of Takoradi Technical University, Rev Prof John Frank Eshun, has stated that environmental sustainability cannot be achieved in isolation but through collective action. He therefore called on citizens, communities and institutions to embrace environmental protection as a shared responsibility.

Speaking at a two-day Environmental Forum organised by the Faculty of Built and Natural Environment under the theme, “Keep It Clean, Keep It Green: Authenticating Collective Action for a Sustainable Environment,” he acknowledged existing environmental and policy implementation challenges but stressed the need for joint effort.

“While government continues to make progress through policy reforms and environmental protection initiatives, much more needs to be done if these worrying trends are to be reversed. There remains a backlog in environmental policy implementation and enforcement, and this calls for stronger collaboration among stakeholders,” he said.

He emphasised that environmental protection must not be left to government alone.

“Protecting nature must not be seen as the responsibility of government alone; every sector, government, academia, industry, professional institutions, communities and individuals, has a role to play. Environmental sustainability cannot be achieved in isolation. It requires coordinated policies, responsible corporate practices and a citizenry that understands that protecting the environment is protecting life itself,” he added.

Rev Prof Eshun affirmed that the forum aligns with the University’s mission to promote research, innovation and community engagement in addressing national development challenges.

“At Takoradi Technical University, we remain committed to research, innovation and community engagement aimed at promoting environmentally responsible conduct. This forum provides an excellent platform to propose practical and innovative solutions to the environmental challenges confronting our nation,” he concluded.

The Western Regional President of the Ghana Institution of Surveyors, Kwesi Addey-Blankson, called for a balance between development and environmental stewardship. He noted that reservoirs and wetlands have been encroached upon, and poor building practices have hindered natural water drainage.

“Many places that must serve as reservoirs in the environment for running water have been taken over by buildings without the right building code. Wetlands have been taken over and the surroundings of most houses have been paved, preventing water from draining into the soil,” he stated.

He underscored the responsibility of surveyors in safeguarding the environment.

“Without accurate proper surveying, sustainable development and environmental stewardship suffers. At the Ghana Institution of Surveyors, we believe that professionalism goes beyond technical competence. It includes integrity, accountability and responsibility to society. A professional surveyor must refuse to aid environmental degradation. A professional surveyor must advise clients responsibly, even when it is inconvenient. A professional must place national interest above personal gain.”

He urged citizens and students to become advocates for environmental stewardship.

The Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, Special Guest of Honour, observed that while the environment sustains humanity, human actions continue to harm it.

“We should be asking ourselves what we have to do to stop hurting the environment to reduce the effect. It is so easy to point fingers at people, but when it comes to the environment, we are all guilty,” he said. He assured that government would intensify education and enforcement.

“Certainly, we know the right things to do about the environment, but we do not do it because we just do not care. So, we will continue to educate and couple it with enforcement. Human beings have the tendency to go wrong so we must have systems to bring them back onto the right track, hence we must continue the education and enforcement. We all have responsibility to do right to this country. I have a responsibility as a Regional Minister to fight galamsey. These are the same Ghanaians polluting the river through galamsey. So, we all have a responsibility to keep,” he noted.

The Paramount Chief of the Essikado Traditional Area, Nana Kobina Nketsia, called for a return to the values and practices of forebears in protecting the environment.

In her remarks, the Dean of the Faculty of Built and Natural Environment, Prof Gladys Quartey, justified the forum, said, “we live in a time where environmental challenges are obvious hence as a faculty in the environmental area, we have a duty to play a role by creating the right platform to discuss the way forward.”

She emphasised the need for strong leadership and effective enforcement of environmental laws.

The forum featured presentations and discussions involving regulators and state agencies, including the Environmental Protection Authority and the Forestry Commission, and provided students with the opportunity to participate actively.