A Professor of Geology at the Department of Earth Science, University of Ghana, Legon, and the President of Ghana Institution of Geoscientists has called on the government to involve Geoscientists in everything they do to avert disaster.
The Provost of Basic and Applied Sciences, Daniel K. Asiedu also called on the public to procure the services of Geoscientists before, building and drilling of boreholes for their security and for the safety of others.
Addressing hundreds of his students, the media and the cross-section of Ghanaians at the University of Ghana to launch a week-long activities of International Earth Science 2019, under the theme: ‘Geoscience is for everyone’, the President of Ghana Institution of Geoscientists asserted that “Government should inact a law to ensure that there is always Geoscientists involve in all works that has to do with the earth; construction of dams, high-rising buildings etc. Geoscientists should be involved and regulated to carry out proper works.”
According to him, Geoscientists have an important roles to play “in our national development”, reiterating the fact that, Geoscience has to do with the earth and “we know that all the resources that we have in this country; The water, the oil, the gas, the minerals, the rocks and everything would have to be discovered by Geoscientists before it could be exploited to the benefits of The Country”
Talking about the natural hazards like the earthquake, flooding, landslides, Professor Asiedu said Geoscientists are needed to advice and sensitize the public on what to do in case of disasters.
For her part, a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Earth Science, University of Ghana, Legon, The Executive Director and Communication Lead of Centre for Geoscience Studies (CfGS), Dr. Yvonne Sena Akosua Loh noted that her organization has envisaged a citizenry that will have common knowledge in geoscience and thus appreciate how geoscience impact their environment and everyday life.
She said, “in September 2015, member states of the United Nations adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
These SDGs, operating from 2015 to 2030, aim to eradicate global poverty, promote sustainable consumption patterns, and facilitate sustained and inclusive economic growth, social development and environmental protection (United Nations, 2015)”.
It is in this regard that, Dr. Loh mentioned that, “Geoscience can play a vital role in achieving the SDGs, but that would require educating the general populace on the role of geoscience in sustainable development and advising government, policy makers, decision makers, policy implementers on how their decisions and actions can impact sustainable development.
In this context, CfGS seek to educate the general populace on the role of geoscience in their everyday lives, and to advise government and policy makers in decision making relating to natural resources and the environment”.
To achieve this end, CfGS has devised four strategic objectives:
• Facilitate and promote, through the organization of periodic seminars and workshops, a dialogue among policy-makers, decision-makers, policy implementers, technocrats, academics, and other stakeholders, on policy issues relating to geoscience and the environment.
• Provide analysis and perspectives on policy issues relating to geoscience and advises government and policy makers to make policies or take decisions that would support (i) human life and well-being, (ii) protect the general populace against geohazards, and (iii) ensure that natural resources are managed and used sustainably.
• Promote the value of geoscience in supporting economic development.
• Educate the general populace on the impact of geoscience in their everyday life.
The event is organized by The Department of Earth Sciences in collaboration with The Ghana Institution of Geoscientists and The Centre Geoscience Studies
About Earth Science Week
Since October 1998, the American Geosciences Institute has organized this national and international event to help the public gain a better understanding and appreciation for the Earth sciences and to encourage stewardship of the Earth.
This year’s earth science week is being held from October 13-19, 2019 and is celebrating the theme:, “Geoscience Is for Everyone.”
This year’s event emphasizes both the inclusive potential and the importance of the geosciences in the lives of all people.
People of all ages are invited, during Earth Science Week 2019, to join in this creative endeavor through our available learning resources and activities.
The theme is meant to encourage individuals of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities to engage with the geosciences, whether that is as a geoscience professional, a hobbyist, or through civic engagement.
Reaching over 50 million people annually, AGI leads Earth Science Week in cooperation with its sponsors and the geoscience community as a service to the public.
Each October, community groups, educators, and interested citizens organize celebratory events.
Earth Science Week offers opportunities to discover the Earth sciences and engage in responsible stewardship of the Earth.
Story filed by Edzorna Francis Mensah
