Ghana risks failing to achieve the MDG, if

Ejura (Ash), Nov 28, GNA-Mrs Philomina Boakye-Appiah, Acting Ashanti Regional Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has observed that Ghana as a nation, risks failing to achieve the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) if people continue to abuse the environment and its natural resources.

She said, it was the environment and the natural resources that contribute to the life-supporting system of the people, thus providing them with the physical sustenance and opportunities for all aspects of development.

Mrs. Appiah was speaking at a youth forum of the Regional launch of the Ashanti Regional World Environmental Day celebration at Ejura on Monday.

The celebration was under the theme, "Desert and Desertification. Don't desert Dry Land".

She indicated that the Country faced myriads of environmental problems, including desertification, deforestation, air pollution, land degradation, poor water management and noise making. The EPA Director stressed that about 35 per cent of the nation's land area is potentially under threat for desertification, adding that three districts in Ashanti, Ejura-Sekyedumase, Sekyere East and West are all prone to desertification.

"If needs are to be met on subsistence basis, the Earth's natural resources base must be conserved and enhance. However the case of conservation of nature should not rest only on development goals. It is our moral obligation to other living beings and future generation", she said.

Mr Micheal E.Ataogye, Ejura-Sekyedumase District Co-ordinating Director, said the District Assembly would set up a District Environmental, Sanitation and Management Oversight Committee that would move from community to community and house to house to ensure that people observe personal hygiene and environmental cleanliness. He called on Assembly members, teachers, Chiefs, directors at the Assembly, churches and other stakeholders to contribute their quota to enhance proper environmental and sanitary practices in the district. Nana Kwaku Sarfo Kantanka, the Chief of Ejura called on the people to support the government in its efforts to ensure rule of law and good governance in every part of the country.

He said wildfires has led to the extinct of endangered tree and animal species and called on security agencies and the forestry department to help protect and preserve the environment at all levels.