Forum on National Environment Policy held in Kumasi

Kumasi, May 5, GNA - A day's forum to solicit public views and input into the new Draft Environmental Policy of Ghana was on Friday held at the Miklin Hotel in Kumasi. It was organized by the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology with support from the United Nations Development Programme. The participants, drawn from Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo included chiefs, regional and district health officers, Town and Country Planning, Environmental Protection Agency (MEST), Forestry Commission, Ghana National Fire Service, Department of Women, Community Water and Sanitation Agency, Food and Agriculture Ministry and non-governmental organizations. They discussed environmental challenges facing the country, implementation and management of the policy. Professor Clement Dorm-Adzobu, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Central University College, who led the discussion, said there was the need to act decisively to protect the nation's natural resources. It was on account of this that it had become pertinent to review the existing national environmental policy that had been in place since 1992 to take care of the fast-paced population growth and its impact on the environment. He noted that broader consultations through public forums would significantly help to fine-tune the policy document and give the people a sense of ownership. Mr Nicholas K. Iddi, Technical Director, MEST, said the goal was to promote multi-sector approach to the protection of the environment.