Features
Effective monitoring of mining
The environment constitutes an essential part of the earth requiring every person to pay serious attention to its protection, so as to be able to keep to what is known as sustainable development for mankind.
In fact, without an effective environmental protection, the earth on which we live will not be able to sustain itself for the existence and growth of mankind, as well as other things that depend on the environment. It is for this reason that all stakeholders need to come together and ensure effective strategies that would make it possible for all inhabitants on the earth to have their interest protected as far as guarding the environment is concerned.
This means that we need to devise strategies that are workable and are result oriented, so that the ultimate results will be beneficial to mankind and all other inhabitants on the earth. In this regard, all species ought to be protected in line with the desire of everyone to have the environment adequately and effectively protected. The various strategies needed here must be seen to be protecting the interest of all stakeholders.
STAKEHOLDERS
The stakeholders in this matter include miners, mining authorities and organisations, regulatory bodies like Environmental Protection Agency, Local Assemblies, Ministry of Environment, the Government, as well as individuals in organisations that make use of the enviroment through the various activities they undertake.
In connection with this, some high level seriousness is needed. Lack of seriousness will mean that the desire to address the issue of environmental protection will just serve as a talk shop but not serve as any practical way of addressing the matter, which is so essential for the survival of mankind and all other entities that dwell on the earth.
Government as a stakeholder must come out with policies on the environment, so that everyone in the country will share in its implementation. In the same way, the Ministries of Lands and Mineral Resources, and the Environment will all have to play a critical role in ensuring that policies are made workable and implemented well to the benefit of all stakeholders.
MINISTRIES CONCERNED
The Ministries concerned must, therefore, concern themselves with rigid coordination and implementation of policies and practices that will help preserve the environment.
Similarly, miners in all parts of the country must be closely monitored, so that no irresponsible behaviour in mining will be experienced anywhere in this country. Each stakeholder and implementing agency ought to show seriousness towards protection of the environment.
This means that the stakeholders will have to be groomed in crucial capacity building to make them more effective than ever before.
In all this, monitoring by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) becomes essential since, as far as the environment is concerned, the EPA is an important implementing agency.
EPA AS ESSENTIAL BODY
The EPA is an essential body in Ghana that ought to be given the support needed, so it can effectively monitor all activities that have an impact on the environment.
It is in light of all these, that, we are happy to hear about efforts being made by the EPA to work towards environmental protection. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is in the process of procuring more drones to boost its operations in mining communities.
It is important to note that the Agency is currently training its staff in the use of drones to monitor mining in their operational areas. The monitoring cannot be carried out with mere observation of people around but ought to be done through devices that can provide general overview within a short time, regarding the nature of mining that is taking place.
RE-TOOLING
Mr Adarkwa Yiadom, Obuasi Area Manager of the EPA, who made this known said the Agency was currently on re-tooling to empower the staff to effectively undertake their mandate. Re-tooling is important because without it, new devices and tools cannot be obtained to replace old or worn out gagdets that are needed for effective monitoring.
Mr Adarkwa Yiadom was speaking at a day’s workshop to sensitise stakeholders in mining communities to the new approaches to address their grievances and strengthen their relationships with mining companies operating in their communities.
WORKSHOP
The workshop was organised by the Centre for Social Impact Studies (CESIS), a Research and Advocacy NGO, to sensitise members in mining communities to the Mine Site Assessment Tool, which had been developed by the Centre.
Even though re-tooling for EPA is important, the training should not end up just like that. A training workshop is important but at the same time evaluation is equally essential to ensure that the purpose and aims of training are achieved.
CONTINUOUS EVALUATION
Similarly, when the monitoring takes actual implementation, there must be continuous evaluation to let all stakeholders know that monitoring of the implementation plan is made effective for the purpose of Ghanaians in the country.
In conclusion, the need to protect the environment cannot be taken for granted but should be made workable for the country. The use of drones by the EPA to monitor activities affecting the environment is important that is why every individual ought to be actively concerned about the issue, so as to bring about effective sanitisation of the environment for the good of the country.
Contact email/whatsApp address of author:
Pradmat2013@gmail.com (0553318911)
By Kofi Amponsah-Bediako
Features
The Palestinian martyr-Little Hind Rajab
THE wickedness of some people in our world is gradually getting out of bounds. From local arena to international arena, reports of wicked acts that defies logic, is on the rise.
Russia has attacked Ukraine and as a result, the economies of many countries have been negatively impacted. Residential apartments which have no military purpose. Just sheer wickedness and cruelty.
After this came the Brutal attack on Gaza by the Israel Defence Forces. Hospitals were bombed, buildings were razed down and civilians were deliberately targeted which is a war crime according to the Geneva Convention.
The IDF will release pamphlets in the skies informing them to move to certain specified areas. They move there with their families only to be bombed again without warning.
It was one of such movement from one place to another that, the family of a 5 year Palestinian girl called Hind Rajab and her family, travelling in a vehicle, were shot at by an IDF Tank.
This wounded girl managed to call emergency services to come and save them.
The sad thing is that while this brave little girl kept talking to the emergency response person on the phone, telling them that they should come quickly and that she was afraid.
She further told the response team on phone that any time she tries to speak, blood comes into her mouth and it soils her dress and she dies not want her mum to scold her so they should come quickly.
The response team rushed as usual to her location but they were also shot and killed, the driver and his assistant, in a vehicle clearly marked as an ambulance. Ten days later when they got to her location, Hind Rajab and her family were dead and their vehicle was riddled with 335 bullets.
The wickedness with which the IDF waged the war against Hamas, the administrative authority in Gaza, was unbelievable, given the damage to civilians both collateral and in most cases deliberate.
There are reports of some Doctors from the US and other countries, who have described how children they attended to, who were brought in dead, had evidence of sniper bullets.
A report by one of the media platforms, indicated that one of the IDF snipers who died recently, had bragged about shooting children in the abdomen so they will suffer before dying.
What baffles me in all these atrocities, is why Jews who have been saved by a collective action of the world, from Hitler and his Nazis from destruction, infamously known as the Holocaust, is now visiting mayhem on others, namely the Palestinians.
One begins to wonder if Hitler was right after all and that he saw something that the rest of the world did not notice about the Jews. I must admit that it is not all Jews that are racist. It is the Zionist who are the problem with their Talmud which teaches that Jesus is burning in hot feaces.
They deliberately teach their children to hate other people who are not Jews especially the Palestinians. They do not consider the Palestinians as humans and therefore they believe they have the God given right to treat them anyway anyhow.
Hind Rajab’s death has pricked the conscience of the world and countries which used to blindly support Israel, are now putting pressure on them to observe a ceasefire as part of a peace negotiation.
Let the world through the UN show that it does not support barbarism and that the illegal occupation of Palestinian lands by Israel, must come to an end.
NB: ‘CHANGE KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO KOFI BAAKO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
Features
Angioplasty: A comprehensive overview of the procedure and its applications
Angioplasty is a minimally invasive medical procedure used to widen narrowed or blocked arteries or blood vessels. The procedure involves the insertion of a catheter, a small tube, into the affected artery, followed by the inflation of a balloon to widen the artery. In some cases, a stent, a small mesh tube, may be placed to keep the artery open.
Indications for Angioplasty
Angioplasty is often used to treat conditions such as:
1. Coronary artery disease: Narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart.
2. Peripheral artery disease: Narrowing or blockage of the arteries in the legs or arms.
3. Atherosclerosis: Buildup of plaque in the arteries, which can lead to narrowing or blockage.
The Angioplasty Procedure
The angioplasty procedure typically involves the following steps:
1. Preparation: The patient is given local anesthesia and may be sedated to help them relax.
2. Insertion of the catheter: A small incision is made in the skin, and a catheter is inserted into the affected artery.
3. Guidance: The catheter is guided to the affected area using imaging techniques such as fluoroscopy or angiography.
4. Inflation of the balloon: The balloon on the catheter is inflated to widen the artery.
5. Stent placement: A stent may be placed to keep the artery open.
6. Removal of the catheter: The catheter is removed, and the incision site is closed.
Benefits of Angioplasty
Angioplasty offers several benefits, including:
1. Improved blood flow: Angioplasty can help improve blood flow to the affected area, reducing symptoms such as chest pain or leg pain.
2. Minimally invasive: Angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure, which means that it requires only a small incision and can reduce recovery time.
3. Reduced risk of complications: Angioplasty can reduce the risk of complications associated with more invasive surgical procedures.
Potential Risks and Complications
While angioplasty is generally a safe procedure, there are potential risks and complications, including:
1. Bleeding or hematoma: Bleeding or bruising at the incision site.
2. Artery damage: Damage to the artery during the procedure.
3. Restenosis: Narrowing or blockage of the artery again after the procedure.
Conclusion
Angioplasty is a highly effective procedure for treating narrowed or blocked arteries or blood vessels. While it carries some risks and complications, the benefits of improved blood flow and reduced symptoms make it a valuable treatment option for many patients.
References:
1. American Heart Association. (2020). Angioplasty and Stenting.
2. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2020). Angioplasty and Stent Placement.
3. Mayo Clinic. (2020). Angioplasty: What You Need to Know.
4. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. (2019). Angioplasty and Stenting in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of angioplasty, including its indications, procedure, benefits, and potential risks and complications.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
