\ Obuasi, July 2, GNA - The Environmental Department of AngloGold Ashanti (AGA), has organised a quiz programme on the environment for 10 selected junior high schools (JHS) in the Obuasi Municipality as part of its commitment to protect the environment. It was aimed at creating the needed public awareness and encourage youth participation in the crusade against environmental degradation and its effects on the climate. Obuasi Methodist placed first, followed by AngloGold Ashanti JHS.

Speaking at the end of the programme, Mr Nico Theunissen, General Manager, Sustainable Development of the Mine, noted that illegal mining (Galamsey) activities are having serious negative impact on the environment and called for a halt to the practice. He expressed appreciation about the knowledge on the environment displayed by the students and their level of discipline. Mr Theunissen encouraged the students to send positive message on the environment to their schools and localities. Mr Peter Owusu-Yeboah, Acting Environmental Services Manager said AGA was prepared to join the rest of the world to create awareness on the environment to promote stable and friendly climate for all. He said the quiz programme was organised because students are effective agents of information dissemination hence the need to deepen their knowledge on good environmental management practices. "It was a way of ensuring that they have ideas about the environment, learn something relating to the environment and also help to protect it", Mr Owusu-Yeboah said. He said it was important that everybody got involved in the maintenance of the environment since the survival of mankind rest on a clean environment. 02 July, 09