Takoradi (W/R), Sept 19, - GNA Mr. Emmanuel Quansah, Deputy Director in charge of Ozone, at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has said by January One next year, Ghana would completely ban the importation of ozone depleting chemicals and equipment into the country. He noted: "An important milestone that would be reached under the Montreal Protocol in less than four months is the total phase-out of the importation of CFC's and CFC-based equipment."

Mr. Quansah was speaking at a seminar for some second and third cycle schools in the Western Region as part of activities marking the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, under the theme: "Universal Participation; Ozone Protection Unifies the World." The Montreal Protocol signed in 1987, now has 197 member countries committed to reducing and eventually eliminating the production and use of ozone depleting substances. The products include cleaning sprays and fire extinguishers.

He noted that man-made chemicals and activities had largely contributed to the depletion of the ozone layer over the past twenty years, adding that, these harmful chemicals could stay for a long time in the atmosphere, thereby causing both environmental and aquatic destruction.

Mr. Quansah said ozone depletion also suppresses the human immune system and causes cancers, snow blindness, respiratory disorders and cataract, among others ailments.

On aquatic lives and food crops, he said, ozone depletion accounted for 25 per cent in reduction of food crops and 7 per cent reduction in fish yields. Mr. Quansah, however, gave the assurance that the damaging effects on the ozone layer could be rectified or recovered 50 years from now provided signatories to the Protocol adhered to it. Mr. Paul E. Aidoo, Western Regional Minister, lauded the prompt response by the International community to reducing and eventually eliminating the production and use of man made ozone depleting substances.

"The Montreal Protocol has indeed demonstrated that genuine partnership between countries can offer hope for addressing global environmental issues," he said.

Mr. Aidoo said Ghana had also chalked a lot of successes in the fight to save the ozone layer and would continue to fight basic challenges such as illegal importation of CFC products and the apathy of the public towards ozone issues in order to sustain the country's commitment to the protocol. "The EPA is also doing all it can to help users of all ozone depleting substances make the needed transition to use non-ozone depleting chemicals which are environmentally friendly," he added. 19 Sept. 09