Deputy Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Patricia Appiagyei has tasked staff of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to be innovative in their approach to tackling illegal mining.
She argues that issues facing the environment can only be dealt with efficiently if technology and innovation are effected in their approach in dealing with the challenges.
The Deputy Minister made the remarks during a working visit to the EPA.
She urged the Agency to take a critical look at its challenges and find new ways of addressing them.
“Have we reassessed our operational needs and come out with what will help us, fortunately you are under the ministry of environment, science technology and innovation , how innovative are we, how well have we embraced technology to perform our monitoring activity?” she quizzed.
“You have mentioned that you need more staff but I think there is more than that if you want to be effective on the ground you have to also adopt the technological approach in monitoring these issues so I think it is time that we rethink the way we do our things here.”
The visit was followed by a tour of the EPA office in Tema.
The office there which is dedicated to research has a Functional Lab, Testing Room and Pesticide Lab.
Other departments include a Regional Office and Complaints Investigation Office.
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By: Anita Arthur/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana