For most ecosystem enthusiasts, the month of June signifies important days on their calendars as the world environment day and world ocean day are commemorated during this period.
On June 5 every year, many people and institutions join hands to commemorate the World Environment Day, while June 8 is set aside to mark World Ocean Day.
View of a river flowing into the sea, Western Region of Ghana
As the world is bedevilled with the COVID-19 pandemic, commemorating these two days would require concerted effort to help raise awareness on the importance of the environment and the ocean.
To commemorate this year’s World Oceans Day and World Environment Day, the Regional Marine Centre at the University of Ghana, under the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security & Africa project is organizing an online DIGITAL ART COMPETITION.
The competition is opened to people from all coastal countries in West Africa i.e. Benin, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
Contestants are required to submit their original works of art with the aim of communicating the importance of marine and coastal resources, while strictly observing conservation rules and adhering to COVID-19 health protocols during development of their products.
Any submission or entry to the online contest should help educate, raise awareness and/or trigger behavioural change towards responsible use of marine and coastal resources.
Contestants stand a chance of winning cash, laptops, travel support, internships and so much more. All entries must be submitted on or before May 22, 2020 (1800 UTC).
The digital products for the contest could be in any of the following forms – e.g. five-minute Video or Audio documentary, Animation, Music/song/rap, Poem, Drawing and painting and Game.
A polluted Wetland, Sakumono lagoon, Ghana
The World Environment and Ocean Days are two United Nations Commemorative days set aside to encourage awareness and action on protecting the environment and to remind everyone of the important role of the oceans in everyday life.
World Environment Day has become a global platform for public outreach and has facilitated campaigns on environmental issues ranging from marine pollution, pressure on environmental resources, impacts of global warming, sustainable consumption, and wildlife crime.
Mangroves, source of firewood, Ghana
The purpose of the World Oceans Day is to inform the public of the impact of human actions on the ocean, mobilize and unite the world’s population on a project for sustainable management. The oceans are a major source of food and medicine for humans, as well as being a critical part of the biosphere.
Artisanal fishermen and fishmongers pulling a beach seine net in Ghana
Click on “Anglophone Participant” or “Francophone Participant” for more on the submission guidelines and the forms to be completed for the entries, in English or French languages respectively.
For more information visit: https://gmes.ug.edu.gh/
by UG-GMES
