Accra, March 10, GNA - Ms Christian Churcher, Minister of Environment and Science, on Thursday emphasised the need for a holistic approach to address issues concerning the environment in the country. "This would help in addressing most of the developmental problems that we face in the country".

She said this when the Australian High Commission to Ghana, Mr John Richardson paid a courtesy call on her to discuss the way forward for the Ministry.

Ms Churcher called on Ghanaians to give more attention to environmental issues and to create a clean environment. "It is unfortunate that environmental issues although important do not have the pride of place in the scheme of things" she said. She said the Ministry was looking up to review laws, which affected the environment in the country and to focus on a programme to inculcate the culture of environmental sanitation in pupils and students in the first and second cycle schools.

Explaining how that would be than, she said the Ministry would collaborate with the Ministry of Education and Sports to organise a programme for school children. She said the children would be taught to pick rubber sachet whenever they come across one.

Mr John Richardson called for a legislation to check the spillage of cyanide by mining companies in the country.

Mr Richardson pledged his country's support for the Science and Environment Ministry and promised to talk to institution in Australia to support the Ministry's work in restructuring the Town and Country Planning Department. 10 March 05