By Foto4change Communications Team
TAMALE, Ghana
In a practical demonstration of its commitment to environmental sustainability and youth empowerment, Foto4change partnered with the Forestry Commission in Tamale to commemorate World Environment Day 2026 through a tree planting exercise and donation of WASH materials to St. James Roman Catholic School at Daboashie in Tamale.
The initiative, held on June 5, brought together students, teachers and community members in a shared effort to promote environmental conservation and improve hygiene practices within the school.
Upon arrival, the Foto4change team was warmly received by the Headmistress of the school, Madam Mavis Asaga, who commended the organization for choosing the school as a beneficiary of the World Environment Day activity.
Led by Project Lead Julitta Nyetoh, the team donated 50 tree seedlings provided by the Forestry Commission and joined students and teachers in planting them across the school compound. The exercise formed part of efforts to create a greener learning environment while encouraging students to take an active role in protecting the environment.”The future of environmental sustainability depends largely on how we engage young people today,” Julitta Nyetoh said. “By involving students directly in tree planting activities, we are helping them understand that every individual has a role to play in combating climate change and protecting biodiversity.”
The event was marked by enthusiastic participation from students, many of whom eagerly took turns planting and watering the seedlings. Their excitement reflected a growing awareness of environmental issues and the importance of preserving natural resources for future generations.
Beyond the tree planting exercise, Foto4change extended its support to the school’s WASH Club by donating essential hygiene materials, including Veronica buckets, scrubbing brushes and liquid soap. Receiving the items on behalf of the club, Stephen Richard Nsor, President of the WASH Club, expressed gratitude to the organization and assured the team that both the hygiene materials and the newly planted trees would be properly maintained.”We are very grateful for this support,” he said. “These items will help us promote good hygiene practices in our school, and we will also ensure that the seedlings grow into healthy trees.”
The WASH Club President receiving some WASH items on behalf of the club
While appreciating the gesture, Headmistress Mavis Asaga highlighted some challenges faced by the school, including the occasional presence of snakes within the school environment. She suggested that future tree-planting exercises could consider alternative species that would better suit the school’s surroundings. Despite the concern, she described the initiative as timely and impactful, noting that it would contribute significantly to environmental awareness among students.
Another teacher, Adam Lukman, emphasized the long-term benefits of the project, saying the trees would eventually provide shade and create a more comfortable environment for teaching and learning.
For many students, the exercise was more than just planting trees. It was an opportunity to become agents of change within their communities.Junior High School students Atebilla Joshua and Fininye Inezah Wuriya pledged to champion environmental protection efforts beyond the school compound, encouraging their peers and family members to adopt environmentally friendly practices.
Some Students participating in the tree planting exercise
As World Environment Day celebrations continue around the globe, Foto4change says it remains committed to using community engagement and visual storytelling to inspire action on environmental sustainability, climate resilience and social development. The organization plans to expand similar initiatives to more schools across Northern Ghana, helping young people develop a stronger connection to environmental conservation while fostering a culture of responsibility and civic participation.