April 19th, 2013: Chiana, Ghana
In order to bring further awareness to the devastating impacts of over-harvesting of frogs in northern Ghana, SAVE THE FROGS! Ghana held its first Save The Frogs’ Day event in Chiana! The event took place all day and included educational lectures about amphibian ecology and conservation, a play about amphibian conservation by the Youth Drama Club, drumming for the frogs, and 200 people marched around the town to celebrate frogs and to bring awareness toward their conservation.
Many children came to the event and they were excited to learn about amphibians from around the world.
During the event there were multiple educational presentations and SAVE THE FROGS! Ghana’s newest addition to the team, Miss Sandra Owusu-Gyamfi discussed women’s role in amphibian conservation efforts within the community of Chiana.
As the event came to a close, SAVE THE FROGS! Ghana’s Executive Director Gilbert Adum and Advisory Committee Chairman Michael Starkey presented the children of Chiana a gift of soccer balls, jerseys, cleats, and other sports items.
What is the connection between frogs and soccer? One of the greatest threats facing frogs in northern Ghana is over-harvesting and in Chiana young adults do most of the collecting. After school the children go to the local water bodies and collect frogs to sell for food or use them as bait to catch fish. As soccer is popular in Ghana, SAVE THE FROGS! encourages these children to pursue the activity of playing soccer rather than the unsustainable harvest of frogs for food or bait.
SAVE THE FROGS! Ghana has set the bar high for the 5th Annual Save The Frogs’ Day! Looking for an event in your area? Find one here!
Save The Frogs, Save The World!
