Sekondi, Jan. 14, GNA - Government is to establish a National Resources Conservation Department in the various district assemblies to develop, improve and manage human settlements and the environment. The assemblies would play a strategic role in environmental protection and biodiversity conservation to protect water bodies, prevent erosion and sustain environmental quality.

Ms Betty Bosumtwi-Sam, Deputy Western Regional Minister, announced this when she, together with the Deputy Head of Mission at the French Embassy, Mr Bernard Botte, commissioned a GH¢200,000 "Sustainable Livelihood and Environmental Resource Centre" for Friends of the Nation (FON), a non-governmental organisation on Thursday. The centre would provide training for the youth in entrepreneurial development, biodiversity conservation, livestock rearing, horticulture, environmental and natural resources management. Ms Bosumtwi-Sam advocated the use of the centre as a research centre for studies on the environment and natural resources by students in higher institutions of learning.

"It is also my belief that the centre's aim at reducing youth unemployment, enhancing eco-tourism and promoting sustainable management of environmental resources will lead to the socio-economic growth of the metropolis," she added.

Ms Bosumtwi-Sam called for proper maintenance of the centre adding, "the culture of maintenance should strictly be adhered to, to ensure that the centre benefits both the living and the unborn". Mr Botte noted that the French Government was committed to supporting civil society-driven projects aimed at reducing poverty adding, "We target the most vulnerable groups especially women and the youth". He noted that the centre would not only serve as a training centre but a symbol of the FON as a major stakeholder in environmental, good governance and human rights issues. "With the great environmental challenges Ghana is facing like many other countries, ensuring awareness of the youth on environmental issues is key element in the strategy to fight environment degradation," Mr Botte said. Mr Donkris Mevuta, Executive Director, FON, said the NGO was poised to serve as a catalyst for increased action on sustainable natural resource management and healthy environment. He mentioned the improved services for clean and safe environment at Ngyeresia in Sekondi and research into the fishing industry under the sustainable fisheries management project as some of the intervention the NGO had undertaken. 14 Jan. 2010