Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed
Government on Monday gave a hint of plans to de-monopolise the waste management sector to improve collection and recycling.
Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, who gave the hint, said: “I have stated that we need to demonopolise, if you like, waste management in this country.”
“That is not to target other existing waste management companies. We need to de-monopolise the sector. To the extent that we will engage local authorities at the local governance level and small and medium enterprises to be able to do that,” he said.
That, he explained, was to serve the public better, prevent poor sanitation linked to transmission of diarrheal diseases, including cholera and dysentery.
It will also help to reduce illegal methods of waste disposal such as open burning of waste – a leading source of air pollution in Ghana.
Mr Mohammed was interacting with journalists after he paid a familiarisation visit to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in Accra on Monday.
He was welcomed by Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse, the Acting Chief Executive Officer, EPA, and other senior management members.
The sector, he said, was facing challenges, which called for new policy directions to serve as a guide to resolving them.
Touching on the issue of degraded land due to illegal mining, Mr Mohammed noted that the Government had a comprehensive policy to reclaim land and restore affected water bodies.
“I want to take it further to pursue an agenda for every child, to plant and nurture a tree. If you give a child the responsibility to plant a tree, nurture the tree, no child will want his or her tree to die. They will do everything possible to protect it,” he said.
The Minister noted that the Government was exploring other innovative ways of looking for resources towards restoration, urging development partners to support in that regard.
He appealed to the public to support government efforts towards safeguarding the environment, noting that: “…environmental issues have become the most topical to the extent that we all have a moral duty and responsibility to do everything in our individual capacities and collectively to confront the challenge…”
“President Mahama has made this very clear. Whoever is engaged in such activities, whether you are a member of the National Democratic Congress, New Patriotic Party or Conventions People’s Party, we will go after anybody who is engaged in it,” Mr Mohammed said.
“The Holy Bible, Holy Quran and all other faith-based organisations must help to protect the environment through teamwork.”
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