Communities urged to change attitudes towards environment

Accra (Greater Accra) 10th June ?99

Parliament on Wednesday reminded communities to change their attitude towards environmental issues.

In a statement to commemorate this year's "World Environment Day", Mr Kosi Kedem, Member of Parliament (MP) for Hohoe South stressed the need to empower the various communities to enable them to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development.

Mr Kedem expressed concern about the state of the country?s environment and said in order to give a human face to environmental issues, the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology needs to do something about the conservation and improvement of the environment.

Almost all members, who associated themselves with the statement, were of the view that for the country to achieve sustainable development, communities should pursue sound environmental management practices.

Those who contributed included Mr Edward Osei-Kwaku, MP for Asokwa East, Dr Farouk Brimah, Deputy Minister of Environment, Science and Technology and MP for Ayawaso East, Mr Kojo Armah.

They commended the Ministry and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for pursuing policies and programmes towards sustainable environmental development.

The members urged government to commit adequate resources to the sector to ensure the attainment of the goals of the National Policy on the Environment as enshrined in the Vision 2020 document.

Members further appealed to district assemblies not only to implement their environmental action plans, but to also sustain campaigns to protect the environment to save it from being degraded.

Reacting to concerns expressed by members, Mr Lee Tandoh Ocran, a Deputy Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, who happened to be in the house said the Ministry considers MPs as partners in addressing issues relating to the environment.

Members, he said, should, therefore, intensify the education at the district assembly level to create awareness among the people on the need to engage in farming practices that help save the environment from degradation.