Accra, Feb 28, GNA - Mr Emmanuel Salu, Deputy Director, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Wednesday said although Ghana was able to achieve a lot over the last 50 years, its performance on environmental issues had not been the best.

"Our natural resources such as the rivers and forests have not been properly managed, leading to deforestation and pollution of our water bodies, and worst still, is the problem of sanitation and littering in major towns and cities," he said.

Mr Salu was speaking at the inauguration of a 6-member national planning committee in Accra by Youth For Christ Heritage (Yufrist), an NGO and the EPA, with a mandate of drawing up an environmental consciousness programme in line with Ghana's 50th anniversary. The programme is on the theme; "Pepping up the desire for environmental consciousness, corporate partnership, a key strategy". Mr Salu said although Ghana's population at independence was only four million and the 2007 figure stood at around 23 million, it did not give Ghanaians the justification to abuse the environment the way they were doing.

"Protecting the environment is a shared responsibility and agencies, NGO's and all well meaning Ghanaians should get involved in protecting the environment," he said.

"Our greatest handicap is our changing lifestyle in line with urbanisation. But with a little effort on the part of every individual about the environment, the nation would go a long way in achieving the Millennium Development Goal (MDGs), which has one its pillars on the environment.

Mr Jehoiada G.K. Amuzu, Executive Director and Secretary to the planning committee urged all business entities to do their businesses in a manner that would take into consideration the interest of the larger society in ensuring a sound environment that would promote good health for all.

He urged the business entities to support district, municipal and metropolitan assemblies in the maintenance of environmental sanitation of the towns and cities.

Mr Anthony Adusei, Chairman of the planning committee said the programme to create environmental consciousness would be launched on March 28, this year in Accra and would be extended to all the regions. "Our effort at championing environmental renaissance and a re-awakening of all citizens need to be supported by all," he said. 28 Feb. 07