The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has expressed concern about the growing misuse and unsafe handling of pesticides by farmers.

Mr. Issac Osei, the Ashanti Regional Director, said they found it deeply worrying that in spite of the intensive public education campaign some farmers persist in doing the wrong things.

That, he warned, could prove fatal - a potential danger to public health.

Let nobody under any circumstance under-estimate the imminent danger, he said, at a day’s workshop on pesticides regulations held for selected journalists in the region at Akyawkrom in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality.

It was jointly organized by the EPA and the West Africa Agriculture Productivity Programme (WAAPP) with funding by the World Bank.

The workshop brought together more than 40 participants from both electronic and print media and the goal was to adequately equip them to effectively educate the public against the misapplication of chemicals.

Mr. Osei underlined the need for all to stick to regulations on the use of pesticides and vowed to go after those who breached these.

He said it was time people changed their bad attitude towards the environment, to stop the pollution and degradation, adding that, this is where the media’s role is critical.

He said he would want to see the newspapers and radio stations focus efforts on bringing to the fore issues relating to the protection of the environment.

Dr Sam Adu-Kumi, acting Director, Chemicals Control and Management Centre of the EPA, said the workshop is part of a nation-wide drive to improve food and environmental safety.