[vc_section][vc_row row_space=”remove_padding_bottom”][vc_column width=”2/3″][gva_block_heading title=”Overview”]World Wildlife Day (WWD) 2020 will be celebrated under the theme “Sustaining all life on earth”, encompassing all wild animal and plant species as a component of biodiversity as well as the livelihoods of people, especially those who live closest to the nature. It also underlines the importance of sustainable use of natural resources in support of the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including Goal 14 (Life Below Water), Goal 15 (Life on Land), Goal 1 (No Poverty) and Goal 12 (Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns).

In Ghana, we shall use the occasion to celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of wild animals and plants in our country, raise awareness of the multitude of benefits that wildlife provides to people, and raise awareness on the urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime, in particular, the role of the youth in this cause as the fate of the world’s wildlife will soon be in the hands of the next generation. WWD 2020 will take place at on 3^rd March, 2020 at the Shai Hill Resource Reserve in the Greater Accra Region. People living with disability are highly encouraged to participate![/gva_block_heading][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_empty_space height=”55px”][vc_btn title=”Click here to download the participation form” color=”success” size=”sm” i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-wpforms” add_icon=”true” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ghanawildlifesociety.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2015%2F12%2FParticipation-form.docx|title:Participation%20Form|target:%20_blank|”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” row_space=”remove_padding_top”][vc_column width=”2/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1581346132953{padding: 25px !important;background-color: #f4f4f2 !important;}”][gva_block_heading title=”The youth photography competition” align=”align-left”]

What we want: The photo competition is open to all Ghanaian youth between the ages of 18-27 (other youth nationals who are residing and schooling in Ghana in the last one year can also participate). We want you to use your photography skills to capture and send striking color and black-and-white images of wildlife on land, in the air, beneath the water’s surface and wildlife interacting with humans/local communities from anywhere in Ghana. These images may show animal behavior, portraits of wildlife in natural habitats, plant life or people interacting with wildlife. All images to be submitted should project the theme “Sustaining all life”. Previously published photos may be entered; however, please include information on when and where the photos appeared. Winning photos from other competitions may also be entered, but include the name of the competitions and the years they won. Such information is informative only and will not influence judges’ decisions.

Theme and categories:

• Fauna (Mammals, Reptiles, Birds, Amphibians and Insects): Portraits of a species in the wild of Ghana, this could include underwater life.

• Flora: Ambient photograph/view of native or botanical species/plants in the wild of Ghana, this could include underwater life.
• People and Wildlife: Portraits of people enjoying the outdoors or connecting with wildlife.

Photographs of pets, domestic animals and those that violate or infringe upon another person’s rights, including but not limited to copyright are ineligible for this competition.

Every person who enters not only honors their own work, but also helps support the conservation mission of the Ghana Wildlife Society, which is dedicated to saving wildlife species and their habitats.

Award of the competition and publication of results: First-place winners in each category will:

1. Receive certificates.
2. Receive a wildlife calendar 2020 donated by the Wienco Ghana Limited.
3. Receive a cash prize of GHC 150.
4. Receive the Birds of Ghana field guide.
5. Receive educational materials/items.
6. Have the opportunity to travel, join and display winning photo at WWD 2020 event.
7. Have the rare opportunity to interact with ministers and other experts in wildlife management.

For the grand prize, the winning photo will be displayed on a large board (the GWS species fence wall) located along the Independence Avenue for a year and as the 2020 GWS annual report’s front/back cover.[/gva_block_heading][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1581346100418{padding: 25px !important;background-color: #f4f4f2 !important;}”][vc_column_text]

Terms and Conditions

Conditions of photo shooting: Participants should respect the natural areas and not disturb wild species being photographed. In the case of human presence in the photograph, the author agrees to have the shooting permissions of the people present on the image. The jury reserves the right to exclude any photograph that is degrading to people or that does not have the permission of the people photographed. In the case of photography in a private space or protected areas, the author agrees to have the permissions of the owners or managers of the spaces concerned. In case of doubt about these elements of ethics, the jury reserves the right to not retain participation.

Conditions of participation in the competition: The participant will have to send a single photograph per category. Photos must be accompanied by the place where the photograph was made, and the date of shooting (not exceeding a year from 10^th February, 2020). Photos should be done by sending digital files with references of the author and his photograph, according to the conditions indicated. Authors shall authorize the use of their photos by organisers at subsequent exhibitions and wildlife projects to promote the contest and wildlife conservation. The organisers in turn ensure the respect of copyrights, giving due credit to the authors.

Technical conditions and file delivery coordinates: Sending digital files is should be sent directly by email to: info@ghanawildlifesociety.org. Select a maximum of 2 photos for the photography competition to submit in the following categories: fauna, flora and people and wildlife. Each photo to be submitted should accompany a separate application form. Files should not be retouched, or include any editing or overprinting, apart from the conventional optimization of light, contrast and color. The definition of the image should be at least 3000 pixels in long edge, and definition of 300 dpi min for sending. A high definition original image should be ready (A2 size), it will be asked only to the award winners to make prints for display on 3^rd March, 2020 at the Shai Hill Nature Reserve in the Greater Accra Region for the World Wildlife Day event. The jury reserves the right to contact the author in case of dispute about the technical configuration of the file or the origin of the photograph. Any step in this direction has the effect of suspending the author’s participation pending its response.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” row_space=”remove_padding_top”][vc_column width=”2/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1581346132953{padding: 25px !important;background-color: #f4f4f2 !important;}”][gva_block_heading title=”The arts competition” align=”align-left”]What we want: The arts competition is open to all Ghanaian youth between the ages of 8-17 (other youth nationals who are residing and schooling in Ghana in the last one year can also participate). We want contestants to use their imagination and creative arts skills to paint striking color and black-and-white images of wildlife on land, in the air, beneath the water’s surface and wildlife interacting with humans/local communities. All images to be submitted should project the theme “Sustaining all life”. Previously published artworks may be entered, however, please include information on when and where the photos appeared. Winning artworks from other competitions may also be entered, but include the name of the competitions and the years they won. Such information is informative only and will not influence judges’ decisions.

Theme and categories:

• Fauna (Mammals, Reptiles, Birds, Amphibians and Insects): Artwork of a species in the wild, this could include underwater life. (for school children between ages 8-10 only).

• Flora: Ambient Artwork of native or botanical species/plants in the wild of Ghana, this could include underwater life (for school children between ages 11-14 only).
• People and Wildlife: Artwork of people enjoying the outdoors or connecting with wildlife (for teenagers between ages 15-17 only).

Photographs of pets, domestic animals are ineligible for this competition.

Every person who enters not only honors their own work, but also helps support the conservation mission of the Ghana Wildlife Society, which is dedicated to saving wildlife species and their habitats.

Award of the competition and publication of results: First-place winners in each category will:

1. Receive certificates.
2. Have their artworks published in the 2020 Wildlife Clubs magazine (the Nko).
3. Receive a wildlife calendar 2020 donated by the Wienco Ghana Limited.
4. Receive a cash prize of GHC 100.
5. Receive educational materials/items.
6. Have the opportunity to travel, join and display winning photo at WWD 2020 event.
7. Have the rare opportunity to interact with ministers and other experts in wildlife management and conservation.
8. Receive the Birds of Ghana field guide.

For the grand winner will receive a photo camera and the winning artwork will used as the 2020 Nko magazine’s front/back cover.[/gva_block_heading][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1581346100418{padding: 25px !important;background-color: #f4f4f2 !important;}”][vc_column_text]

Terms and Conditions

Conditions of participation in the competition: Schools must not submit more than 5 entries in each category. Each artwork must be labelled on the back with the competitor’s full name (surname in capitals) age, sex, address of the school and “I (full name) authorize the Ghana Wildlife Society to reproduce this artwork in any form for the purposes of nature, environment and wildlife conservation and I have read the competition rules and I accept the conditions of participation”. The artwork must be accompanied with a short note description the artwork and motivation for submitting the artwork. Artwork must be endorsed by the principal and a parent/guardian to be considered eligible. Contestants should send all artworks through post addressed to:

Ghana Wildlife Society

P.O. Box 13252

Accra

Contestants can also submit artwork directly to our head office (located at the Ridge Roundabout adjacent the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park in Accra).  Artwork should be submitted in A2 sizes in any drawing or painting material.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_space=”remove_padding_top”][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Mandatory information for all participations in both competitions

To be considered for any of the competition, a photo or artwork must be accompanied by the following:

• First name and last name of contestant.
• Telephone number and email of the contestant/parent/teacher/guardian
• Category in which the photograph/artwork is proposed;
• Specific name of the place, and date of the shooting (for only those participating in the photography contest)
• Name of the plant, animal species and people/community when identified
• The mention “I (full name, surname in capital letters) authorize the Ghana Wildlife Society to reproduce this photo/artwork in any form for the purposes of nature, environment and wildlife conservation”.
• The mention “I (full name, surname in capital letters) have read the contest rules and I accept the conditions of participation”.

Deadline for participation and competition rules

The deadline for submission is 28^th February, 2020 at midnight (GMT). All entries by emails will be confirmed by email. All judging decisions are final. Please do not contact us about the status of entries or judging. The organizer will notify the winners via the contact information provided at the time of entry. Prizes will be announced through phone calls/emails, our website and on our social media platforms by 29^th March, 2020. Only winners will be notified.

Organization of competitions

The organizers of the Youth Photo and Arts Competitions are the Ghana Wildlife Society and its partners, the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission and the Department of Archeology and Heritage Studies at the University of Ghana, Legon.

Here is the rapid photo submission process in four steps:

1. Please read the rules of the competitions.
2. Select a maximum of 2 photos for the photography competition to submit in the following categories: fauna, flora and people and wildlife.
3. Download and fill up the participation form attached and sign it.
4. Send your photos and application form to: info@ghanawildlifesociety.org and submit artworks directly to our office or via postage.

For further details, contact the Society on 0302665197/0595123043.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][/vc_section]