Kumasi, Jan 05, GNA - The Ashanti Regional branch of the Sand and Stone Contractors Association is to set up a monitoring team to check environmental degradation through the activities of members of the association.

Nana Akuamoa Boateng, the acting regional chairman of the association, said the team would comprise representatives of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Ghana Mines Commission and members of the association.

Speaking at a luncheon by the Atonsu-Agogo branch of the association in Kumasi, he expressed regret that even though the EPA had in recent times held a series of fora for contractors to adhere strictly to environmentally sound practices in their activities, many were those who flouted the regulations.

"The association cannot sit down unconcerned whilst some selfish ones amongst us destroy the environment in the name of money." Nana Boateng commended Ghanaians for exhibiting maturity at the December 7 presidential and parliamentary elections, saying that it demonstrated that Ghanaians had come to understand democracy well. He cautioned political party leaders to conduct themselves in a manner that would portray them as peace loving.