The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has held an educational forum for Journalists in the Central region of Ghana, as part of enhancing their understanding of the work of the agency.

A lawyer to the Agency, Abena Ayensu, who delivered the power point presentation on the functions of the agency indicated that the media is a worthy stakeholder of the Agency, and thus, should understand its functions and laws, in order to educate the general public appropriately.

She indicated that, the move was necessitated as a result of increased flouting of the laws of the agency by individuals and institutions, hence the need to partner the media to help educate citizens.

According to her, the agency works with laws such as the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), Minerals and Mining Act (Amendment) Act, 2015 (Act 900), Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2010, Minerals and Mining (Compensation and Resettlement) Regulations, 2012 (LI 2175), as well as the Minerals and Mining (General) Regulations, 2012 (LI 2173).

Other laws include the Minerals and Mining (Licensing) Regulations, 2012 (LI 2176), Minerals and Mining (Health and Safety )Regulations, 2012 (LI 2182) and Minerals Development Fund Act 2016 ( Act 912), including laws on water management.

According to her, the agency was established by the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1994 (Act 490) as the lead agency for environmental protection in Ghana.

The agency is to oversee, coordinate and regulate all issues regarding the environment in Ghana.

On his part, Joseph Tsagli, District Head of the EPA in Kasoa bemoaned the blatant disregard of environmental laws of the country, as a result of which many disasters befall Ghana.

He further decried recent increase in noise pollution and sent words of caution to perpetrators.

He called on all Ghanaians to partner the agency to ensure that the environment is protected.

Source: Frederick E. Aggrey/www.newslinegh.com

 

Exclusively Newslinegh