Dr Andy Osei Okrah, Chief Executive Officer of the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), has urged graduates to move beyond theoretical learning and apply practical solutions to help tackle Ghana’s growing environmental challenges.
Addressing the second congregation of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) in Somanya, he compared unused academic knowledge to “a viable seed left in a barren barn,” saying it held potential but produced no impact unless applied.
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He cautioned graduates against settling into comfort zones and encouraged them to deploy their expertise to solve real problems. Citing Ghana’s climate challenges, he said the country was battling biodiversity loss, pollution, deforestation and water scarcity.
“Our rivers, the Birim, the Densu, the Pra, are not flowing waters; they are open wounds poisoned by galamsey. Our forests are being stolen through illegal logging, farming, and mining. Our cities are choked with plastic waste, filling drains and causing floods, while poverty deepens in affected communities,” he said.
Dr Okrah called on graduates to create community-based solutions, noting that environmental science graduates could design functional waste management systems, while those trained in policy or development could help shape sustainability-focused legislation.
He noted that the global rise of green jobs in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and climate finance offered significant opportunities for young professionals ready to innovate.
A total of 200 students graduated across various programmes.
The 2025 Valedictorian, Miss Christabel Kekeli Acorlor, who earned a BSc in Water Resources Development, thanked the University Council, lecturers and her family for their support. She received multiple honours, including the Overall Best Graduating Student award.
