This follows a directive from the sector Minister, Professor Frimpong Boateng asking the company to cease operations.

[contextly_sidebar id=”eGcDghLBAnHJd4fHwVOCuIRFt2D6ZfQ2″]Residents close to the factory have complained of the health implications posed by the activities of the company, and have strongly advocated for its relocation.

The Head of Public Relations at the Ministry of Environment, Nasir Ahmed Yartey, told Citi News that the meeting is expected to yield concrete results that would bring finality to the matter.

The Happy Sunshine Tomato factory, which belongs to some Chinese expatriates, has been at the forefront of major public criticism after series of protest by residents of Korleman City, an estate at Kuntunse in the Ga West Municipality over the negative effect of the company’s operations in the area including noise, air, and environmental pollution.

The company was fined GHc 15,000 by the EPA in August 2017, for operating illegally, whilst it was also ordered to halt any form of production.

However, the management of the tomato factory violated the order and resumed full production in November.

The residents, who held a meeting with the MCE in a bid to get him to ensure the company’s closure and subsequent relocation, accused him of rather shielding the company at the expense of their health.

The EPA on the other hand, appeared adamant after their initial orders were disrespected with the tacit support of the  Ga West Municipal Assembly intervened.

This forced the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng, has ordered the closure of a Chinese Tomato paste factory operating unlawfully in the Ga West Municipality of the Greater Accra Region.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The Professor, who made this statement while addressing a gathering at this year’s World Environment Day Celebrations which was held at Kyebi in the Eastern Region on the theme “Connecting people to Nature from Cape Three Points to Bawku” said “Ghana has rich biodiversity that provides the food and water we need, and most of the resources for our industries and health services, we need to recognize the inherent value of natural resources in order to conserve lands and our natural resources.”

The Minister also expressed greater worry about the damaging extent of the country’s environment due to the menace of illegal mining, which has destroyed a great portion of the country’s forest and river bodies, he stated

“We need to improve our understanding of the links between biodiversity, ecosystems and human beings, and stop the decline of natural resources else failure to act now, would cause more decline in natural resources which we would pay a high price for in the near future, we should be mindful of our individual actions towards preserving natural resources in the country because our actions may  have adverse effects on animals that can transfer poison to humans as we consume them.”

He stated that government is committed  to stopping illegal mining and restoring the country’s lands and water bodies.

“In view of this, we are in the process of developing a coherent national biodiversity policy that will help conserve the ecosystem and species in the country’s natural reserves.”

The Member of Parliament for Nkawkaw, Hon. Eric Kwakye Daffour, who is also the Eastern Regional Minister, expressed disappointment over the extent of damage caused to the environment through the activities of illegal mining pollution and lumbering, saying “it is unfortunate our country is currently being confronted with enormous environmental challenges with respect to its water resources and land. Never in the history of this country have we been confronted with such massive land degradation as a result of illegal mining activities,deforestation among other unhealthy  environmental activities.”

“Most of the time, we have exhibited gross disrespect  for nature through our activities, it is high time Ghanaians appreciate nature and demonstrate a strong constant connection with nature through socio-cultural activities, we need a collective responsibility to protect forest resources, lands and water bodies, which promote ecotourism and can also generate employment and wealth creation for our country,” he added.

The acting Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), John Pwamang, explained that as part of plans to ensure sustainable utilization of the country’s natural resources and preserve the environment,  the MESTI through EPA, has started a nationwide tree-growing programme.

“About 4,000 trees have been planted in Kyebi, and we are looking forward to plant more in the coming days.”

He also revealed a number of programmes the EPA together with other organizations are embarking on.

“We are coming up with strategies to help protect the environment and serve a good purpose for communities in future, with the government’s planting for food and jobs which will provide employment to millions of Ghanaians, we are reclaiming the lands to prepare most of them for the project.”

Okyehene Osaagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin II, who was the chairman of the celebration, reiterated his commitment to fighting against galamsey.

“I will do everything in my power to ensure that the polluted Birim River which is in my area, is to get back to its natural state. I am very confident we will win the fight against illegal mining.”

He then called for the autonomy of the EPA, and asked the government to end poverty to enable people to desist from engaging in galamsey.

Several other ministers including the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, John Peter Amewu, Minister of Housing Hon. Atta Kyea, Deputy Minister for Gender Children and Social Protection Mrs Gifty Twum Ampofo, United Nations Resident coordinator, Christine Cloack, and a host of other dignitaries from the Chinese Embassy in Ghana also joined in this year’s celebration.

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By: Neil Nii Amatey Kanarku/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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According to the renowned Heart Surgeon, every form of waste is another raw material to generate energy and other useful things that will benefit the country immensely.

Professor Frimpong-Boateng said this when he appeared before members of Parliament’s Appointments Committee during his vetting.

Prof. Frimpong-Boateng listed a number of waste products from worn-out car tyres, sawdust, dirty oil, and other forms of urban waste, to create a lot of useful things that will benefit the country in saving the environment and generating revenue.

“There are a lot of wastes; I will start with lorry tyres which are everywhere. We will intend to do a recycling to convert them into fuel; we have dirty engine oil which is thrown into gutters. The oil itself doesn’t change although it is dirty; so the technology will be to remove those additives and impurities and then we can still make money from it and save our environment.”

“We also want to recycle hard plastics which can be used again or to produce energy. We want to do E-waste or electronic waste management which is also possible and many other things apart from generating power, building biogas plants from faecal waste and so on. So we have a lot of things that we have lined up, and we will be contacting you the MPs in your various constituencies on some of the projects in terms of energy. For example, in areas where you grow maize, when you have harvested the dry maize, keep the stock and whatever is left us; we can prepare breakers from those things. If you have harvested groundnut, leave the husks for us, we will turn them into activated carbon and so on. If you have sawdust; leave it for us, and don’t fill it in the river and spoil the sawdust. We will need bamboo to produce wood gas that can be used to power plants” he noted.

We don’t need landfill sites – Frimpong-Boateng

The nominee also said going forward there would be no need for Ghana to have landfill sites, to keep waste which is often burnt, instead of being recycled.

“I don’t think there should be any landfill sites because these things that we call waste are raw material that we need to produce either energy, compost or something else. So we want to come to a point like Sweden, where they want to import waste from other countries so that they can process. So we have to do away with these landfill sites and its attendant problems.”

Ghana spends several millions of cedis in its attempt to manage waste effectively, but has achieved very little over the years.

Several parts of the country are still engulfed in filth, despite the introduction of the National Sanitation Day.

Landfill sites are a source of conflict between city authorities and residents in the communities they are located. Residents of Oblogo, Achimota, and other towns across the country complain about the stench and diseases caused by the landfill sites.

In some places, city authorities have been forced to shut down sites due to protests from residents.

‘About Prof. Frimpong Boateng’

Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng is a trained physician and cardiothoracic surgeon who established the National Cardiothoracic Center and the Ghana Red Cross Society.
He is also the President of the Ghana Heart Foundation and was once the Chief Executive Officer of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.

In March 2006, he announced his intention to contest the New Patriotic Party presidential primaries for the December 2008 National Presidential Elections.

He however lost in his attempt against now President-elect, Nana Akuffo-Addo, who had subsequently lost the 2008 elections to the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC), John Evans Atta-Mills. Prof. Frimpong-Boateng is married with five children, and he’s very passionate about science and technology, which remains pivotal to any country’s development.
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By: Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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This proposed council will assess technology-based ideas and proposals from deprived, but promising individuals and possibly offer state support.

[contextly_sidebar id=”wUgY6sl4MJQEtUbOlBSwOuWEriVFsxQg”]During his vetting for his nominated portfolio, Prof. Frimpong-Boateng recounted two individuals with potential, but no means, whom he had supported to realise their technological talents.

“We are suggesting to his excellency the President that we should have an advisory council on science and technology where people will serve on it, not on institutional bases, but as individuals from all sections of the society so that children like this one can come, bring ideas, we sort them out and then give them the opportunity to excel.”

One of these individuals, Prof. Frimpong-Boateng narrated, was a drop-out from the Kumasi technical Institute who had some prowess in electrical engineering.

This particular individual rode on further support from other individuals including, the Asantehene and the Dutch embassy, to work with a Dutch company specialising in solar energy.

Prof. Frimpong-Boateng’s point was that the Ghana did not lack the talents but is in need of systems to harness the potential of some brilliant but needy persons who, more often than not, go unnoticed.

“The people are there and every day they come to me so we have to find a forum where we can address this that is why we have said, given the nod, we will set up a business development unit in the ministry so that we promote these things.”

“We need to build a critical mass and when we come above [this challenge], only the sky will be the limit. There are amazing things we can do in this country when we tap the resources, especially those not on the radar,” he said.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Advisory Council needed to boost innovation, technology – Frimpong-Boateng appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

He made the announcement at the 36th annual technological exhibition of the Apostle Kantanka Technology Centre on Sunday, January 1.

“Science, technology and innovation are the keys to the 21^st century development. We have to find ways in which Science, Technology and Innovation become the central features of our policies and programmes and of our development. For this reason, if the next Parliament agrees, I will appoint a prominent Ghanaian to come and assist me, and take over the portfolio of the Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation minister, Professor Frimpong-Boateng.”

Akufo-Addo in his address said he is committed to the development of science and technology in the country, and believes the country can shift its focus to achieve a 30:70 ratio for the Humanities to Science related academic courses.

He said the country needed to support and protect pioneers of scientific developments and innovations to enable them do more and teach others to promote the development of a science-rich country.

“What we also have to do is to encourage them. And that is what my government will do. To support people like Apostle Sarfo,” Akufo-Addo said.

‘About Prof. Frimpong Boateng’

Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng is a trained physician and cardiothoracic surgeon who established the National Cardiothoracic Center and the Ghana Red Cross Society.

He is also the President of the Ghana Heart Foundation and was once the Chief Executive Officer of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.

In March 2006, he announced his intention to contest the New Patriotic Party presidential primaries for the December 2008 National Presidential Elections.

He however lost in his attempt against now President-elect, Nana Akuffo-Addo, who had subsequently lost the 2008 elections to the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC), John Evans Atta-Mills.

Prof. Frimpong-Boateng is married with five children, and he’s very passionate about science and technology, which remains pivotal to any country’s development.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @jnyabor

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