The Minister of Environment, Science and Technology (MESTI), Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has directed all agencies under the ministry to adhere strictly to transparency and accountability in the use of resources.
She said given the onerous responsibility of the ministry to implement policies that would help protect the environment, there must be prudent use of resources to achieve that objective.
“What I expect from all agencies under MEST is minimum level of discipline, transparency and accountability, as well as prudence when it comes to the handling of resources that are actually the contribution of the taxpayer to this country’s development,” she stressed.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings gave the directive at a handing-over ceremony at MEST in Accra yesterday, where the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, officially handed over notes to her after serving as caretaker minister for one year.
Context
President John Mahama assigned Mr Armah-Kofi Buah to temporarily oversee MEST on August 7, 2025, in a caretaker role following the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of previous cabinet members, including the Environment Minister, Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed.
On August 27, this year, Parliament approved Dr Agyeman-Rawlings as the MEST Minister, following vetting by the Appointments Committee.
Subsequently, President Mahama swore her into office alongside the Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, on August 29, 2026,urging them to serve with courage, humility and commitment.
Collaboration
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings said it would take collaboration by all stakeholders to tackle teething challenges such as climate change, environmental degradation and all forms of pollution to protect the environment from destruction.
“Our Constitution, which is the supreme law, provides that both citizens and the government have a responsibility to protect the environment.
We have a responsibility under the Directive Principle of State Policy to work together to achieve this objective,” she added.
The minister said achieving that goal would require all staff at MEST and agencies under the ministry to adhere strictly to ethical standards and accountability in the discharge of their roles.
The Korle Klottey Member of Parliament (MP) said she would do everything possible to justify the confidence reposed in her by President Mahama.
Environmentalist
For his part, Mr Buah reposed confidence in Dr Agyeman-Rawlings to deliver on her duties with distinction, given that she was an astute environmentalist and lover of science.
"I have no doubt at all that Dr Agyeman-Rawlings will achieve huge success here at this ministry. I have watched her speak with passion on environmental issues on the floor of Parliament and other platforms, and I know she will bring the advocacy acumen in her to this ministry," he said.
The Ellembelle Member of Parliament (MP) said during his short stay at MEST, a number of successes had been achieved, including the revocation of the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves Regulations), 2022 (L.I. 2462), the Tree for Life (T4L) initiative, policy on recycling of plastics, six new legislative instruments to operationalise the new Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) law and opening of 50 new offices of the EPA across the country to take services closer to the people.
He urged heads of agencies under the ministry to extend the same support they gave him to the new minister to help consolidate the gains made over the past one year.
