For many students, selecting a university programme is primarily a career decision. For Josephine Abena Setorwu Logotse, a Level 200 Natural Resource Management student at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST), it was the first step towards protecting the environment and addressing the growing threats facing Ghana's natural resources.
Her interest in environmental sustainability began after Senior High School, when she developed a desire to understand the forces that sustain the planet and the challenges threatening its future.
"I have always been deeply curious about what is happening to our planet. I wanted to understand what sustains our environment, what threatens it, and whether future generations will still have access to the natural resources we often take for granted," she said.
That curiosity led her to pursue Natural Resource Management at KNUST, a university she described as her dream institution.
"Gaining admission to study Natural Resource Management at KNUST filled me with immense pride and excitement because it marked the beginning of a journey I have always dreamed of," she added.
Miss Logotse said her commitment to conservation deepened after learning about the extent of degradation affecting Ghana's forests and other natural resources.
"The condition of forests and natural resources in Ghana is severely degraded. That realization was not just alarming; it was a wake-up call that deepened my commitment to environmental conservation and confirmed that this was the right path for me," she said.
A defining moment in her academic journey came during an internship with A Rocha Ghana, where she was tasked with synthesising the 2025 Global Forest Watch report on the state of forest reserves in West Africa.
The assignment strengthened her research and analytical skills while exposing her to the scale of environmental challenges confronting the sub-region.
According to Miss Logotse, the report showed that forests across West Africa are under increasing pressure from agricultural expansion, fuelwood production, illegal logging, mining, urbanisation, infrastructure development and the expansion of human settlements.
She said these pressures are compounded by interconnected factors such as poverty, rapid population growth and weak governance, which continue to drive the unsustainable exploitation of natural resources.
"Seeing these realities documented in hard data made my passion feel even more urgent and purposeful," she remarked.
Miss Logotse said protecting the environment should not be seen as the sole responsibility of governments, scientists or policymakers.
"Every individual has a role to play. Simple but intentional actions such as avoiding littering, planting trees, reducing waste, conserving water, and educating others about environmental protection can collectively create enormous change. Every small action matters, and when we all contribute in our own ways, we can protect our natural resources and build a more sustainable future for generations to come," she stressed.
She said her studies and practical field experience have equipped her with skills in research, communication, leadership and environmental advocacy.
Miss Logotse encouraged young people interested in conservation and sustainability to consider careers in Natural Resource Management, describing the field as an opportunity to contribute to environmental protection and sustainable development.
"I would recommend this field to anyone who is passionate about conservation, sustainability, and making a meaningful, positive impact in the world," she said.
Story: Alice Laura Kyerewaah Prempeh
