School children in the Ashanti Region have taken up paintbrushes to fight for the environment, taking part in a global movement to criminalize widespread environmental destruction.
The Rights of Nature Ghana Movement (RoNAG), led by Dr. Dickson Adom of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), hosted a vibrant Stop Ecocide awareness event funded by the U.K.-based Gower Street Trust. In partnership with Stop Ecocide International, the programme brought together pupils from Akrofrom Basic School and Royal Nicky’s Academy to explore environmental protection through art.
The creative drawing and painting exercise was part of an international project feeding into an upcoming film titled “Change The Rules!” The children were encouraged to illustrate environmental issues, from polluted rivers and endangered wildlife to the effects of illegal mining, deforestation and plastic pollution.
Many young artists focused on the theme “Save Our Rivers: Stop Galamsey!”—a direct reference to the devastating impact of illegal mining on Ghana’s water bodies. Others created works titled “Our Forests, Our Future” and “Say No to Plastic Pollution,” using bold colors and contrasting images of healthy versus degraded ecosystems.
“When young people understand the importance of protecting nature, they begin to see themselves as part of the solution,” said Dr. Adom. Organizers noted the event not only nurtures creativity but also empowers children as environmental advocates. Students were guided by RoNAG’s Youth Wing members and local teachers in developing themes like “Protect Nature, Protect Our Future” and “Stop Ecocide—Save Our Planet.”
The event also included educational discussions introducing students to the concept of ecocide—severe harm to nature—and the idea that nature possesses intrinsic rights, aligning with earth jurisprudence and ecocentric principles.
As global environmental challenges intensify, initiatives like this underscore the power of education and creativity in shaping a sustainable future. Across Ghana, schoolchildren are already picking up the brush—and the responsibility—to defend the planet against ecocide.
