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Ghana School Children Learning About Ethical Agriculture

Stacey Knott

   ACCRA - As Ghana's capital Accra expands, green spaces have diminished
   and fast food is starting to become a norm; however, agriculturist
   Lauren Goodwin wants to ensure that children understand where their
   food comes from - and how to grow it themselves.

   Tucked away in one of Accra's few green spaces, children are spending
   their school holiday learning about ethical agriculture and healthy
   living.

   Ghana, like many nations across the world, is seeing a rise in fast
   food consumption and the associated health risks. Fried local street
   food and fast food restaurants are common sights throughout the
   capital.

   Goodwin, founder of the Under the Mango Tree Camp, says she sees
   people, especially in cities, becoming disconnected from their food
   source.

   "I know that children need to be a part of this. This can't be a
   conversation that we just keep for adults, it can't be, you know. We
   are growing and we have our young people that are coming up; it's so
   important they are exposed to this thing. They need to know how food
   grows," Goodwin said.

   This month, the children have been learning about all aspects of
   ethical agriculture, from composting to creating natural pesticides.
   The camp is held at a park where the children like Björn Brinkmann
   have been able to plant herbs and vegetables.

   "I have been planting, germinating, sowing, harvesting and also
   sometimes we taste the herbs and sometimes we brought some of the
   vegetables home," Brinkmann said.

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