The Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF/SGP) in collaboration with the Integrated Development in Focus, a local non-governmental organization (NGO), on Tuesday observed the World Environment Day at Yaoman, in the Ga West Municipality.

The day was observed on the theme: “Green Economy-Does it Include You?”

Mr. George Ortsin, GEF/SGP Country Programme Co-ordinator, said a 2007 report on African’s Ecological footprint, revealed that many countries were depleting their natural resources at a faster pace than they could replace them.

He said “Currently, Ghana’s footprint is at 1.0 out of a total bio-capacity of 1.3gha per person,” and added that the footprint change per person was 36 per cent.

Mr. Ortsin called on Ghanaians to change their attitude and lifestyle for renewed commitment towards environmental sustainability.

He asked Government to support civil societies with annual budgets, to transform the conventional practices towards attaining a green economy for the benefits of society.

Mr. Ebenezer Nii Armah Takie, Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Ga West, appealed to the people of Yaoman to protect sacred groves to protect the environment.

He cautioned landowners in Yaoman not to sell lands that were situated at earth-quake prone areas, and condemned sand winning which was common in the community.

The MCE advised the people to go into farming to ensure food security, employment and income generation.**