EPA calls for proactive strategies for environmental issues

Sunyani, Mar. 9, GNA - Mr Isaac Osei, Brong Ahafo Regional Programme Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency has called for proactive strategies in addressing environmental issues. He noted that issues of the environment had been misunderstood over the years, because of lack of proper education and commitment on the part of the people responsible for it.

Mr Osei was speaking at an encounter with the Press in Sunyani, organised by the Agency as part of a programme on how to educate the general public on topical environmental issues. He expressed regret about how environmental issues were usually relegated to the background, simply because, they were taken for granted.

"For example in this part of the world availability of fresh water can equally match demands and with this scenario people fail to realize that, water can be a finite commodity and that without adequate protection the resource can be depleted", he explained. Mr Osei cited the case in 2001 and 2002 when the Tano River in the region dried up, a situation that led to the formulation of policies, including an afforestation programme, to conserve the sources and banks of the river.

The regional programme officer called on the media to assist the Agency in disseminating environmental information to educate the people in managing and sustaining the environment.