Government to implement sustainable environmental strategies- Vice President

Accra, May 7, GNA- Vice President John Dramani Mahama on Monday promised that government would implement sustainable environmental programmes that would find lasting solutions to the country's environmental challenges.

"Since our resources are limited, our priorities over the years have focused on health, education, infrastructural development and good governance sector with less emphasises on our natural resources and environment and the question I want to ask is how do we ensure that development does not take place at the expense of the environment?" Vice President Mahama was inaugurating an 11-member Advisory Council of Environmental and Natural Resources at his office at the Castle, Osu. The Council, of which he is the Chairman, would among other functions, assist government to assess the risks and opportunities of policies and identify appropriate mechanisms to ensure that sound environmental management contributed towards economic growth.

Other members of the council include; Mr. Kwesi Ahwoi, Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr. Joseph Yieleh Chireh, Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Madam Sherry Ayittey, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Dr. Kwabena Duffour, Minister for Finance and Economic Planning and Dr. Oteng Adjei, Minister of Energy.

The rest are Mr. Alban Bagbin, Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, Mr. Collins Dauda, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Dr. Osei Boeh-Ocansey, Private Enterprise Foundation, Professor Nabila, President, National House of Chiefs and Dr. Yao Graham, Third World Network. He said climate change and environmental degradation were phenomenal and could impact negatively on agriculture, health, energy and water resources, land and natural resources, oil and gas and mining and therefore required inter-sectoral and inter-ministerial management approach. The Vice President appealed to members to be committed and dedicated to their roles and responsibilities to ensure the total achievement of the aims, goals and objectives of the council.

Madam Sherry Ayittey, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology mentioned some of the serious environmental challenges as poor waste management and sanitation.

"Research indicates that about 80 per cent of the diseases prevalent in our communities are sanitation-related and improving the management of waste and reducing filth in our cities remains a top priority for government." She gave the assurance that the council would also tackle serious challenges of biodiversity loss, deforestation, forest degradation, land degradation, pollution of fresh water bodies and marine environment.