Chief to sue EPA for environmental degradation

The Paramount Chief of the Western Nzema Traditional Area in the Western Region, Awulae Annor Adjaye, is contemplating a legal action against the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, over what he describes as the Agency’s negligence in dealing with the excessive degradation of the environment particularly due to mining activities in the region.

Explaining his argument to Takoradi-based Melody FM, Awulae Annor Adjaye explained that the EPA, which is empowered by the Constitution to protect the environment, has neglected its responsibility of monitoring activities that threaten the environment particularly mining.

He is worried about the contamination of the many water bodies as a result of mining activities, be it by illegal miners or by larger mining firms.

“Every where you visit in Tarkwa, Bogoso, Sefwi, Anwiaso and their environs, you will find mining going on there and there is no move to ensure reclamation of lands. Isn’t the EPA responsible to ensure compliance with whatever environmental impact assessment they did before people started mining?” he questioned.

The Paramount Chief is also challenging the EPA’s claim that algae infestations in fishing areas along the coastal areas of the Western and Central Regions are not caused by the oil exploration activities taking place in the jubilee fields.

“You talk about the environmental impact assessment of the oil exploration and when you go around the coastal belt, from New Town, down to Ahanta West, you will see a lot of algal bloom along the coastal belt. Everybody is denying that it is not the oil that has caused this; but this has never happened along the coastal belt. It is the EPA which should investigate that and tell us the truth” he fumed.