The Volta Regional Environmental Health Officer, Stella Kumedzro Awusavi, has called on Ghanaians to adopt responsible environmental practices and sustainable waste management habits to help protect the environment and preserve natural resources for future generations.

Speaking to mark World Environment Day, Madam Awusavi stressed the importance of collective action in environmental conservation, describing the protection of the environment as both a civic and moral responsibility.

She noted that people rely on the environment for their livelihoods and survival and must therefore ensure that natural resources are protected for those who come after them.

"This is where God has planted us. He has entrusted us with the responsibility of taking care of the environment and feeding from it. We must not be selfish by destroying everything at the expense of those who will come after us. Posterity will not be happy with us if we fail in this duty," she said.

Madam Awusavi expressed concern about the effects of climate change and warned that environmental degradation and poor waste disposal practices continue to pose risks to public health and the environment.

She urged individuals to take responsibility for the waste they generate and dispose of it properly rather than dumping refuse into drains.

According to her, indiscriminate waste disposal contributes to flooding, environmental pollution and other sanitation challenges.

"People should know where their waste ends. When refuse is dumped into drains, it does not simply disappear. It ends up causing floods, polluting neighborhoods, and creating serious environmental problems," she stated.

The Regional Environmental Health Officer also advised against the burning of waste, noting that smoke emissions contribute to air pollution and climate change.

She further condemned the practice of disposing of sewage into drains and water bodies, warning that it contaminates food and water sources and increases the risk of diseases such as typhoid fever, diarrhoea and other sanitation-related illnesses.

"We must stop disposing of sewage into drains. The same contaminated water finds its way into our food chain and eventually affects our health. The environment has a direct impact on our wellbeing," she said.

Madam Awusavi encouraged citizens to maintain clean surroundings, manage waste responsibly and actively support efforts aimed at environmental protection.

"Let us take care of our environment, and our environment will in turn take care of us," she added.

World Environment Day is observed annually to raise awareness and encourage action on environmental issues. This year's observance highlighted the need for sustainable environmental practices in the face of growing climate challenges.