Ghana Marks World Environment Day

Nsawam(E/R), 8 June - Mr John Edward Afful, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, said today the high rate of social and economic development resulting in an annual average growth rate of five per cent has been achieved at a high cost to the environment. Citing the example of the mining sector, Mr Afful said even though it has made substantial contribution to the economy, its potential adverse environmental impact, ranging from land-use conflicts to blast-induced vibration, water pollution and resettlement of communities, could be quite considerable. Mr Afful was launching this year's World Environment Day at a durbar at Nsawam in the Eastern Region on the theme "Protect Our Waters and Save Life". The global theme for this year is "For Life On earth". World Environment Day is celebrated every year by the global community to focus attention on environmental problems, take stock of the state of the environment and take appropriate actions to arrest its degradation and improve the quality of life. Hundreds of school children, teachers, chiefs and parents from various parts of the region converged at the durbar grounds to witness the official launching of the Day. The children, some of whom carried placards reading 'Stop farming

along river banks', 'Don't waste treated water' and 'Control the spread of water-borne diseases', performed traditional dances and sketches on the effects of water pollution on health. Ms Patience Addow, Eastern Regional Minister, drew attention to the Densu river which, she said, is ''dead'' from pollution and urged the people to change their way of doing things in order to revive it. The river, which takes its source from the East Akim District in the region and serves 50 towns and villages in four other districts, is the main source of water for the people. The Minister regretted that together with its tributaries, the Densu has become the disposal ground for solid and liquid waste. She cautioned against the practice, saying it contributes to water

shortage in the dry season.