Postgraduate students from the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) have presented research-based proposals on sustainable development to the Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration between academia and local government on environmental restoration.
The presentation, titled “Principles of Sustainable Development and Their Application in Somanya,” was delivered at the Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly Hall and formed part of UESD’s commitment to community-based learning, knowledge exchange and practical academic training.
The engagement also sought to deepen the University’s partnership with the Assembly while encouraging community participation in environmental restoration initiatives.
The Dean of the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences (SNES), Prof. Shine Francis Gbedemah, the Vice-Chancellor of UESD, Prof. Eric Nyarko-Sampson, and other faculty members accompanied the students.
Prof. Gbedemah said the initiative was intended to bridge the gap between academic learning and practical community development by allowing students to apply their knowledge to real-life environmental challenges.
The presentation was led by Mr. Maxwell Boakye, UESD’s first valedictorian, who outlined key principles of sustainable development and demonstrated how they could be applied to address environmental challenges in the Yilo Krobo Municipality.
He discussed concepts including holistic development, intergenerational and intragenerational equity, environmental protection, public participation, good governance, the precautionary principle and the polluter pays principle. According to him, these principles can guide policymaking and community action towards sustainable environmental management and long-term socio-economic development.
The presentation prompted discussions between the students and Assembly officials, who outlined ongoing interventions to address environmental challenges in the municipality. While acknowledging financial constraints, the officials reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to implementing practical measures to improve environmental sustainability and the well-being of residents.
Prof. Nyarko-Sampson commended the Assembly for its collaboration with UESD, describing the partnership as an opportunity to connect academic research with local development priorities.
He stressed the need to integrate elements of the University’s academic programmes into the work of the Assembly so that research and innovation can provide practical, evidence-based solutions to local challenges through teaching, research and community engagement.
The Vice-Chancellor also highlighted the Nkabom Collaborative Project, a partnership involving eight universities, including UESD and McGill University in Canada, the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), and other stakeholders with support from the Mastercard Foundation.
He said the initiative aims to create decent employment opportunities for about 55,000 young people, particularly women and vulnerable groups, across Ghana, adding that the Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly has an important role to play in its implementation.
The Municipal Chief Executive for Yilo Krobo, Francis Addo Akumatey, thanked the University delegation for the engagement and described UESD as an important development partner of the municipality.
He called on stakeholders to support the University in fulfilling its mandate and acknowledged the financial challenges facing some of the Assembly’s operations.
He assured participants that the Assembly remained committed to tackling environmental challenges and implementing initiatives that promote sustainable development and improve residents’ quality of life.
The engagement underscored UESD’s commitment to applying academic knowledge to real-world challenges while strengthening collaboration with local authorities to advance environmental restoration and sustainable development.
