Accra, Feb. 4, GNA- Ms. Christine Churcher, Minister of Environment and Science on Friday night left Accra for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as head of government delegation to the ninth Special Session of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Governing Council.

She is also attending the International Conference on Chemical Management.

Ms. Churcher referred to as the "Green Lady in the international environmental circles for her advocacy for environmental considerations has been nominated by the UNEP Governing Council in Nairobi to moderate the Ministerial Consultations and to chair a special panel discussion of women Ministers for the environment on Monday February 6. The Ninth Special Session of UNEP is expected to finalize and adopt the Strategic Approach to International Chemical Management (SAICM). The Strategic Approach has been developed over the past three years through a consultation process, involving representative of governments and intergovernmental organisations from the environmental and other related sectors, including labour.

When SAICM is adopted, it would be recommended by the Conference to the Governing Bodies of Intergovernmental Organisations for possible endorsement.

The SAICM conference beings today, Saturday February 4 and ends on Monday February 6, to be followed by the Ministerial Environment Forum from February 7, to February 9.

According to an Aide Memoir from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ghanaian government delegation comprised of Mr Jonathan Allotey, Executive Director, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Mr John Pwamang, Director Chemical Control and Management Centre also of the EPA.

Mr Albert Obbin, Mr Lee Ocran and Peter Sarkodie, Members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Environment, Science and Technology in addition to other official from the Ministry of Agriculture would also join the government delegation. Mr John Aggrey, Ghana's High Commissioner in Kenya and Permanent Representative to UNEP would join the Ghanaian delegation in Dubia.