Lifelong Learning towards the Achievement of Environment and Sustainable Development in Ghana

Authors

  • Ruth Donkoh Zhengzhou University
  • Portia Oware Twerefoo UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA
  • Josephine Donkor Olea M & G Insurance Brokers
  • Solomon A Boateng Somerset County Vocational Technical High School
  • Wing On Lee Singapore University of Social Sciences https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8520-187X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25159/2312-3540/10777

Keywords:

lifelong learning, sustainable development, Ghana education, educational development, environmental degradation

Abstract

The government of Ghana has demonstrated its ambition to achieve Sustainable Development Goals SDGs—presently a global catch-cry—through numerous educational developments. However, Ghana still battles with the tensions of environmental degradation such as illegal mining, water pollution, bad farming practices, and improper waste disposal, among several others. Therefore, this paper explores lifelong learning and sustainable development in Ghana. This is done through the implementation of retrospective literature evaluation and qualitative methods. The paper employs available literature and a hands-on study, which commences by tracking the history of lifelong learning, the importance of lifelong learning, and how Ghana demonstrates its support of lifelong learning to ensure sustainable development. A critical analysis is conducted on the reasons why Ghana persistently battles with environmental degradation. Numerous examples are presented as evidence to support the findings and formulate recommendations. The identification of these obstacles to achieving SDGs will enable the government, policymakers and citizens of Ghana to contribute their quota to the achievement of SDGs. This study will also help Ghana to redeem its natural resources, which have deteriorated over time.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

Abdul-Rahaman, N., A. B. A. Rahaman, W. Ming, A.-R. Ahmed, and S. S. Abdul-Rahaman. 2018. International Journal of Education and Literacy Study. International Journal of Education and Literacy 6 (2): 26–33. https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijels.v.6n.2p.26. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijels.v.6n.2p.26

Amponsah, A., E. K. Enninful, E. K. Anin, and P. Vanderpuye. 2015. “Achieving Quality Education in Ghana: The Spotlight on Primary Education within the Kumasi Metropolis.” Journal of Education and Practice 6 (17): 9–22. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ1079771&site=ehost-live&authtype=ip,uid.

Bagah, D. A., W. Angko, and J. P. Tanyeh. 2016. “Environmental Degradation and Small Scale Mining Nexus: Emerging Trends and Challenges in Northern Ghana.” Developing Country Studies 6 (2). https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/234682713.pdf.

Becker, G. 2018. Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development in Urban Educational Landscapes and Learning Cites. Experiences Perspective from Osnabruck in Lifelong Learning and Education in Healthy and Sustainable Cities. Cham: Springer, 439–469. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-69474-0_26. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-69474-0_26

Belyaeva, I. G., E. N. Ekaterina, S. V. Veronika, S. D. Lyudmila, and P. E. Peheskaya. 2016. “The Conceptual Model of Sustainable Development of the Rebal Sector.” International Journal of Environmental and Science Education 11 (14).

Biney, I. K., and C. K. Okai-mensah. 2017. “Lifelong Learning and National Development.” The Case of Ghana 6 (7): 1–17. International Journal of Development and Sustainability 6 (7): 333–349. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319178962.

Boakye, P. A. 2019. “Explaining Education Reforms in Ghana:An Insititutional and Ideational Perspective.” PhD thesis. Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/233059386.pdf.

Bokova. 2015. “Why Education is the key to Sustainable Development.” World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2015/05/why-education-is-the-key-to-sustainable-development/.

Debrah, J. K., D. G. Vidal, and M. A. P. Dinis. 2021. “Innovative Use of Plastic for a Clean and Sustainable Environmental Management: Learning Cases from Ghana, Africa.” Urban Science 5 (1): 12. https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci5010012. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci5010012

Kartowagiran, B., S. Hamdi, E. F. M. A. Istiyono, and S. S. Dewanti. 2021. “Integrating the 21st Century Character Values for Elementary School Studies.” Ilkogretim Online. Elementary Education Online 20 (2): 33–42. https://doi.org/10.17051/ilkonline.2021.02.07. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17051/ilkonline.2021.02.07

LaMorte, W. W. 2019. “The Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change).” Bu.Edu. Thesis Boston University.

Mebratu, D. 1998. “Sustainability and Sustainable Development: Historical and Concptual Reviews. Environmental Impact Assessment Review.” Journal A–Z 18: 493–520. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0195-9255(98)00019-5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0195-9255(98)00019-5

Mosweunyane, D. 2019. “The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations in Promoting Lifelong Learning in Botswana.” In Learning Cities, Town Planning, and the Creation of Livelihoods. IGI Global 190 (204): 190–204. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-8134-5.ch011. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-8134-5.ch011

Ngounou, B. 2020. “Ghana: University of the Environment will Train its First Batch of Students.” Published on August 7, 2020. Afrik 21News On The Green Economy, The Environment And Sustainable Development In Africa. https://www.afrik21.africa/en/ghana-university-of-the-environment-will-train-its-first-batch-of-students/.

Omari, R., T. Ek, K. Rt, R. Asabo, E. T. Jumpah, and A. Mahama. 2020. Employment Potential of the Food and Beverage Sector in Ghana 5 (14 ). Fara Research Report 5 (14). https://library.faraafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/FRR-Vol-5-No-14-2020-Employment-Potential-of-the-Food-and-Beverage-Sector-in-Ghana.pdf.

Owusu-Aghyemang, Y. 2017. “Expanding the Frontiers of National Qualifications Frameworks through Lifelong Learning.” Internation Review of Education 63 (5): 657–678. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11159-017-9661-2. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11159-017-9661-2

Plan, R. 2018. “Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.”

Poku, J., G. M. Aawaar, and T. Adomah Worae. 2013. “Education Sector Reform in Ghana: A Review.” Global Research Journal of Education 3 (2): 20–31. http://www.globalresearchjournals.org/journal/grje/.

Sneddon, C. B., R. B Howarth, and R. B. Norgaard. 2006. “Sustainable Development in a post-Brundtland World.” Ecological Economics 57 (2): 253-268. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2005.04.013. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2005.04.013

Tamakloe, W. 2010. “State of Ghana’s Environment: Challenges of Compliance and Enforcement,” 1–5. https://www.oceandocs.org/bitstream/handle/1834/409/04h_ghana.pdf?sequence=1.

The Republic of Ghana. 2019. “Voluntary National Review Report on the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.” https://docslib.org/doc/364396/ghana-voluntary-national-review-report-on-the-implementation-of-the-2030-agenda-for-sustainable-development.

Torpey, V. 2012. “Politics of Environmental Management and Policy: A Case Study of Ghana.” In ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. https://search.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/politics-environmental-management-policy-case/docview/1184067469/se-2?accountid=41849.

Velicer, W. F., J. S. Rossi, J.O. Prochaska, and C. C. Diclemente. 1996. “A Criterion Measurement Model for Health Behavior Change.” Addictive Behaviors 21 (5): 555–584. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0306-4603(95)00083-6

Webb, S., J. Holford, S. Hodge, M. Milana, and R. Waller. 2019. “Conceptualising Lifelong Learning for Sustainable Development and Education 2030.” International Journal of Lifelong Education 38 (3): 237–240. https://doi.org/10.1080/02601370.2019.1635353. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02601370.2019.1635353

Reports Consulted

DVV. The Institute for International Cooperation of the Deutscher Volkshochschul-Verband Agenda for Sustainable Development. 2016. Shaping the Literacy Agenda fromm a Lifelong Learning Perspective.

EU. European Union. 2018. “Six Steps to Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.” Europa.Eu. https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-news/six-steps-achieving-sustainable-development-goals-2018-07-16_en.

FAO. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. 2021. Mellinnium Development Goal 7. https://www.fao.org/sustainable-development-goals/mdg/goal-7/en.

GES. Ghana Education Service. 2019. Our World and Our People Curriculum for Primary Schools.

MoE. Ministry of Education. 2020. Changing Ghana through Education.

Nature.com. 2020. “A Better Way for Countries to Track their Progress on Sustainability.” https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-03908-3.

OECD. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. 2017. “Sustainable Development.”

OECD. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. 2020. “A New Strategy for the Environment.” https://www.oecd.org/env/tools-evaluation/anewstrategyfortheenvironment.htm.

State University. 2021. “Evolution of the Lifelong Learning Movement, Implementation of Lifelong Learning, Ongoing Issues in Lifelong Lerning, Conclusion.” Stateuniversity.Com.

UIL. UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning. 2020. “Virtual Annual Report.” https://uil.unesco.org/uil-virtual-annual-report-2020.

UN. United Nations. 1992. “Conferences/ Environment and Sustainable Development.”

UN. United Nations.2012. About RIO + 20.

UN. United Nations Educational, S. and COU. 2012. “Education for Sustainable Development.”

UN. United Nations. 2017. “Sustainable Development.”

UN. United Nations. 2019. “The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI): Safeguarding against Economic Slowdowns and Downturns.” Wfp.Org.

UNEP. United Nations Environment Programme. 2002. “United Nations Environment Programme 64.” Nairobi, Kenya. http://www.unep.org/gc/gc22/Media/UNEP_Annual_Report_2002.pdf.

UNESCO. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. 2019. “Discussion on SDG 4: Quality Education.” High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, July, 14. https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/23669BN_SDG4.pdf.

UNESCO. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. 1972. Report, “Learning to Be.”

UNESCO. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. 2002. “Annual Report.”

UNESCO. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. 2007. “Principles and General Objectives of Education.”

UNESCO. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. 2014. “Teaching and Learning for Development.” European Youth Forum.

UNICEF. 2000. “Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Monitoring.”

WB (World Bank). 2020. “Ghana: Balancing Economic Growth and Depletion of Resources.”

WCED. World Commission on the Human Environment and Development : Brundtland Commission 1987. “Our Common Future.”

Xinhua. 2018. “Ghana Introduces Closed Season for Marine Fishing.” Xinhuanet.Co

Downloads

Published

2022-08-30

How to Cite

Donkoh, Ruth, Portia Oware Twerefoo, Josephine Donkor, Solomon A Boateng, and Wing On Lee. 2022. “Lifelong Learning towards the Achievement of Environment and Sustainable Development in Ghana”. International Journal of Educational Development in Africa 7 (1):20 pages. https://doi.org/10.25159/2312-3540/10777.

Issue

Section

Articles