The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has appealed to Parliament to expedite action on the amendment of the EPA Act 490 to enable it effectively regulate the country’s environmental space.
The Act, according to the Executive Director, Dr Henry Kwabena Kokofu, when passed, will not only transform the EPA into a more modern institution with a wider mandate but clothe it with the needed prosecutorial powers to punish environmental offences and build a healthier society.
Speaking at the launch of the 50th anniversary of the Agency in Accra yesterday, the Executive Director assured that “when the Act is passed by Parliament and assented to by the President and becomes an operational law, we can assure you that we will see a much more enhanced, proactive, biting and active-oriented EPA.”
Enacted in 1994, the EPA Act 490 as it stands, limits the Agency to the formulation of environmental policies, issuing of permits and prescribing standards and guidelines relating to the pollution of water, air, land and noise in the country.
The Agency has come under public backlash for overseeing a lot of irregularities in Ghana’s natural and built environment particularly in recent times and doing little about it.
But in an explanation to journalists, the Executive Director said, “the legal framework upon which EPA was established is still a problem. We don’t have prosecutorial powers neither can we cause an arrest so we can do all the monitoring but cannot arrest offenders unless we rely on the police service, so often environmental crimes often go unsanctioned.”
According to him, the situation continues to weaken existing environmental laws and regulations and was important that the law was amended as soon as possible to save the environment in the face of rising global warming and climate change.
Touching on other challenges facing the EPA, Mr Kokofu called for increased funding, logistical support and increase in workforce to enhance the operations of the Agency moving forward.
“We are in the process of establishing 40 districts to decentralise our work and enhance our visibility beyond the regional level,” he added and called on the public to take responsibility also for environmental protection by adopting healthier attitudes towards the environment.
Outlining activities earmarked for the year-long celebration, Mr Kokofu mentioned that there will be environmental symposiums, anniversary lectures, environmental outreaches, quizzes and debates as well as an exhibition opened to the public to update it on the work of the EPA.
Additionally, he said there would be health programmes, a tour of selected facilities under the EPA and an awards night to climax the celebration come June 2024.
The 50 years anniversary celebration is on the theme; “50 years of accounting for environmental stewardship.”
BY ABIGAIL ANNOH
