'Pool resources to curb environmental challenges'
Regulatory environmental agencies have been asked to pool their resources to fight environmental-related challenges in the country.
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The Chief Executive of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Mr Daniel Amlalo, who made the call, said such collaboration would help them to be proactive to stop the rapid depletion of natural resources and increasing water and air pollution.
“If we can pool resources, share intelligence, undertake joint monitoring of the environment, investigate and prosecute environmental crimes and speak with one voice, we will be empowered to collectively resist influences we face individually in protecting our environment,” he stated.
Mr Amlalo was speaking at a workshop for heads of regulatory environmental bodies in Accra, with the aim of bringing the heads together to join the National Environmental Security Task Force (NEST).
The event, organised by the EPA, was attended by heads of the Forestry Commission, Water Resources Commission, security agencies, Ghana Maritime Authority, Wild Life, Ghana Minerals Commission, Geological Survey Department and Interpol.
Focus of NEST
The NEST, which will soon be inaugurated, will help the heads of regulatory institutions to discuss cross-cutting environmental issues and how best they could collectively pool resources and share intelligence.
The forum would focus on how best to address the illegal plundering of natural resources, water and air pollution, land degradation by illegal miners, sand winning, illegal pair trawling and dumping of waste in the sea by fishing boats and ships, among others.
Cross-cutting challenges
Mr Amlalo stated that almost all the regulatory bodies were confronted with lack of human resource, logistics and funding to individually tackle environmental challenges effectively.
He told the heads of institutions that as part of the NEST operations, “we will pool resources, undertake joint investigations and prosecutions of those who commit crimes against the environment, regardless of any political influence”
Security threat
To ensure the effectiveness of the NEST, he said the presence of Interpol would help track down environmental offenders who escape arrest by travelling outside the country.
“Since almost all the regulatory agencies are not armed, we need the security forces from the Interpol, the national security and the Ghana Armed Forces, to provide intelligence to track down environmental criminals on land, at sea and abroad,” he added.
The Director of Standard and Compliance Enforcement of the EPA, Mr Lambert Faabeluon, said the degradation of natural resources and waste crisis posed security challenges to the country.
“Once people cannot enjoy the benefits of natural resources and their environment, they may agitate against those they perceive to be in control of those resources,” he said, and expressed optimism that the NEST would help find multi-disciplinary solutions to the country’s environmental challenges.
