Environmental Cleanliness Is The Responsibility Of All And Sundry

Dr Eric Ofosu Antwi, an Environmental Engineer, has observed that environmental cleanliness is the responsibility of all and sundry. He said, communities, assemblies, civil society and the private sector, are to unite to keep the environment clean. Dr Antwi who is also the Head of Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in Sunyani, said government�s major role is to ensure the provision of waste treatment plants, the creation of incentives for local government, to minimize water use through re-use and responsible planning and management. Others, he said, are financing research into environmentally improved technologies and approaches, as well as water quality surveillance and environmental monitoring. Dr Antwi made the observation at a day�s workshop for members of the Brong-Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs in Sunyani. It was organized by the Forestry Commission on the theme: �The Role of Traditional Authorities in Environmental Sustainability.� Dr Antwi, speaking on the topic: �The Effect of Sanitation on the Environment, � pointed out that the use of incinerators, produced toxic substances such as dioxins when plastics were burnt, and the gases might cause air pollution and contribute to acid rain. He pointed out that poor sanitation is a drain on the Growth Domestic Product (GDP) through treating sanitation-related illnesses and reduction in income and productivity. �Poor sanitation affects tourism because tourists will not risk their lives to visit any part of the country with poor sanitation,� he added. Dr Antwi urged communities and civil society to assist the Municipal and District Assemblies in the Region to identify and propose new strategies to maximize safe re-use, and minimize environmental degradation in their respective areas.