Ghana launches Environmental Watch Project

Accra, Nov. 24, GNA - Government is reviewing existing environmental sanitation legislations and programmes and formulate new policies to address sanitation problems in the country.

They are National Environmental Policy, Science, Technology and Innovation Policy and National Climate Change Policy Framework. Ms Sherry Ayittey, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, announced this at the launch of "Environment Watch Project" in Accra on Wednesday.

The project was launched by the management of Network for Reforms, a non-governmental organisation for research and advocacy dedicated primarily to issues of Human Rights, Health Environment and Sanitation. It was on the theme: "Ensuring Proper Environmental Sanitation-Key Challenges and the Way Forward: The Role of CSOs (Civil Society Organisations) and District Assemblies."

The five-year project would conduct research on environment, sanitation, oil and gas and other developmental issues in the country. It would also organise capacity building and training of the youth on entrepreneurial skills and promote public health on sanitation. Ms Ayittey explained that the National Environmental Policy would facilitate the achievement of the triple-bottom-line objectives of sustainable social, economic and environmental development in the country. In addition, it would specifically maintain ecosystem and ecological process essential for the functioning of the biosphere. The Sector Minister said it would adequately protect humans, animals, plants and their biological communities. Ms Ayittey said Accra alone generated about 1,500-1,800 tonnes of waste daily, with only 1,200 tonnes on the average being collected, adding "that surplus waste therefore build up blocking drains and spreading in open spaces".

"Lack of proper domestic and industrial sanitation systems, contribute to about 70 per cent of diseases in the country," she added. Ms Ayittey said government and its development partners needed to collaborate to make sure there was much conducive, supportive environment for the households, communities and individuals to enable the citizenry respond to legislations and by-laws.

Mrs Elizabeth Abugah, Project Co-ordinator at Network for Reforms, said focus of the project would be on urban areas because in the cities, waste generation was the inherent problem that confronted the people daily. She said priority should be given to sanitation management by increasing its budget allocation.

Mrs Abugah said adequate litter bins should be provided at vantage points to reduce the rate at which the environment was being littered, while property rates would be reviewed to take care of sanitation issues in the communities.

She urged corporate bodies to incorporate environment and sanitation issues in their Corporate Social Responsibility in communities where they operate.

Mr Evans Ewudzie Arthur, Secretary of Environmental Service Providers Association, said the association was faced with numerous challenges including inadequate funding, negative attitude of the public, lack of scientific dumping sites, inaccessible roads and inability to increase rate per tonnage.

He said appropriate policies to support and re-equip solid waste contractors would help restructure the solid waste collection system in the country.

Mr Arthur called for intensive public education and rigid enforcement of assembly by-laws to help address the sanitation problem. "There should be regular repairs of roads especially before the rainy seasons. The assemblies must encourage residents to pay for waste generated in other for government to channel funds for paying waste into development of the city roads," Mr Arthur said. 24 Nov. 10