Green Generation Book for Cameroon’s Primary Schools

 By Eric Kaba Tah

The Green Generation Book, written by Award Winning Author, Arrey Emmanuel Enow has been selected by the Ministry of Basic Education to be used in Anglophone primary schools beginning the next academic year that starts in September 2014. The book that deals with environmental issues in a very specific, innovative and comprehensive manner touches on the natural vegetation, wildlife, pollution, climate change and poems, is prefaced by another multiple awards winner and wildlife crusader Ofir Drori who now coordinates a wildlife law enforcement network that covers over 9 countries in Africa.
     The origins of the The Green Generation book is therefore deeply rooted in the fight against wildlife criminality in Cameroon as the author has, for a long time now, been part of a team of dedicated people working in the domain. The book, although dealing with wildlife issues goes beyond this and encompasses pertinent environmental issues while presenting them graphically and in simple English meant for elementary users as those of classes 5  and 6 who are certainly going to benefit from this rich resource. Teachers too who have been clamouring for  specialised literature on environmental education are now perfectly served. A book is accompanied by a workbook.

     The book was part of a project that won the GRASP Ian Redmond Conservation award for 2014. The award is specifically aimed at protecting wildlife and the man who held an important position in the awarding committee Douglass Cress who is the GRASP Programme Coordinator  declared  "Arrey's commitment and tireless dedication to the task of stopping the illegal trade of great apes in Cameroon made him an ideal candidate for the inaugural GRASP-Ian Redmond Conservation Award. Cameroon is a country in the crosshairs of illegal trade, and with so many endangered populations -- including Cross River gorillas, the rarest apes on earth --  Arrey is perfectly placed to play an important role."
     Literature on the environment has been growing in the last couple of years in the country and is The Green Generation Book is just one them, albeit an important one as it is expected to help groom the next generation of environmentalists and lovers of nature. The book, is an invitation to humanity to collectively take concrete steps to rescue the environment from destruction. The author holds the view that actions are urgently needed now if we are to save the environment from destruction and his message is made very accessible through a combination of vivid descriptions, concrete illustrations, pictures, poetry, case studies and more. It equally treats issues of concerns such as our flailing ecosystems erosion. It is a composite of elementary issues on living green and protecting our environment. The author says
    “The main objective of this book is to help all the main actors involved in wildlife and environmental conservation education with an educational tool. It is an introduction to burning environmental concerns and ecological friendly actions that can sustain the environment for future generations. It is envisaged that those who study with this book will become aware of the devastating consequences of their actions on earth, and, become more environmentally friendly. Cameroon has long been considered as a country that is making great strides in environmental protection and inclusion of The Green Generation book in the  primary school booklist only comes to confirm such a position.