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The Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), Mr Mahama Ayariga, has asked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to come up with measures that will ensure that those who pollute the environment in any form are dealt with.

That, he said, would go a long way to deter people from engaging in acts that endangered the environment.

“The agency should try and come up with some policies to charge people some fees whenever they pollute the environment. This will go a long way to help in environmental management and generate revenue for the agency,” he said.

Mr Ayariga made the call when he addressed the management and workers of the EPA during a visit to the head office of the agency in Accra to familiarise himself with its operations.

The minister and his entourage were conducted round by the Head of Environmental Quality, Mr Emmanuel K.E. Appoh, who briefed them on the operations of the agency.

The minister was accompanied by his two deputies, Dr Bernice Adiku Heloo and Dr Alfred Sugri Tia.

He had earlier visited the Town and Country Planning Department (TCPD), which is also under the ministry. 

The visit to the two institutions followed his appointment as the sector minister last month. 

At both agencies, Mr Ayariga interacted with the management and workers and listened to their concerns.

“The struggle to create an environmentally able society should be the major concern of the EPA,” he stressed.

Technology use
He advised the EPA to take advantage of technology, stressing that “as a ministry and agency, we need to be in the lead when it comes to ICT”.

He called on the agency to work closely with institutions such as the TCPD to ensure planned cities and communities.

He also called for close collaboration between the ministry and the EPA and pledged to support the agency in its activities. 

The Executive Director of the EPA, Mr Daniel S. Amlalo, said the agency was working towards an environment free from pollution.