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Abide by regulations, ensure safety – EPA boss urges facility managers
The Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Dr. Henry Kwabena Kokofu, has advised players in the building and construction sector to abide by regulations and ensure the safety of people, environment as well as the structures they build or manage.
He said, considering the dwindling levels of natural resources, architects, contractors and facility managers must utilise resources efficiently and consider alternative sources of energy such as solar when building.
Speaking at a forum in Accra on Wednesday to mark World Facility Management Day, he again tasked members of the Ghana Chapter of the International Facility Management Association (IMFA-Ghana) to “champion the construction of green buildings, where energy usage is reduced to the barest minimum and avoid practices that impact the environment negatively.”
World Facility Management Day is to celebrate the contribution of Facility Managers and discuss other pertinent issues within the industry.
Tackling the theme: “The Role of the EPA in Shaping Sustainable Future in Ghana,” Dr. Kokofu maintained that building contractors must reserve spaces and adopt practices such, tree-planting and gardening to help replenish lost resources.
He further urged players in the built environment to preserve cultural and architectural heritage of demarcated areas and ensure people were not exposed to noise pollution, and other hazardous elements.
Highlighting the mandate of the EPA, the Chief Executive Officer called for collaboration as the Agency continued to take steps to protect the environment.
He said Facility Mangers had a role to play in protecting the environment and must promote “environmental sustainability” in their operations while working hard to bring on board people in the informal facility management sector.
Madam Regina Christiana Koomson, a Certified International Property Specialist, aslo indicated that buildings were “major contributors to pollution” hence the need for Facility Managers to get involved in sustainable development initiatives, especially that which related to recycling, reducing carbon pollution, among others.
She urged members of the association and stakeholders in the sector to “conduct audit of buildings” and ensure the use of eco-friendly materials.
Mr. Sampson Opare-Ayemang, President of IMFA-Ghana Chapter, commended members of the association for their efforts and urged the EPA to ensure contractors who built high-rise structures “provide space for waste segregation.”
By Ernest Nutsugah
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Speaker of Parliament inaugurates open Parliament Steering Committee, launches action plan
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has launched the Open Parliament Steering Committee and the Open Parliament Action Plan.
The ceremony was under the theme “Achieving Gender Equality: Action by Action.”
The Speaker highlighted the critical role Parliament plays in translating the will of the people into inclusive legislation, responsive policies, and accountable governance.
“The International Day of Parliamentarianism is worth celebrating, as it offers an opportunity not only to recognise and promote achievements in strengthening democratic governance, but also to pause and reflect on the remaining gaps in institutionalising parliamentary democracy,” he said.
He noted that the event was scheduled to coincide with the International Day of Parliamentarianism to reinforce the importance of open and inclusive governance.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, stated that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is intended to recognise the vital role Parliaments play globally as pillars of democratic governance.
He noted that this marks the first time Ghana is formally observing the day.
“The gravity of our observance is further accentuated as we convene to witness the launch of the Open Parliament Action Plan by the Open Government Partnership Caucus,” he said.
Delivering a statement on behalf of the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, described the Open Parliament Action Plan as a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening the relationship between Parliament and the public.
She said the plan represents a bold commitment to making Parliament more transparent, accessible, and responsive to the needs of Ghanaians.
The Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, described the launch as a key milestone in the effort to build a citizen-focused and accountable Parliament.
He added that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is a call to action to recommit to the highest standards of public service and democratic accountability.
The inauguration was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including the Majority and Minority Members of Parliament, members of the Open Parliament Steering Committee, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Caucus, Parliamentary Network Africa, representatives from civil society organisations, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional and religious leaders, student bodies, the Parliamentary Press Corps, and other media partners.
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NACOC declares drug menace a national emergency
The Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior has paid a working visit to the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to engage with its leadership and assess operational challenges hampering the fight against illicit drugs.
In a detailed presentation, Dr. Basha Ligbi, Head of the Commission’s Research Bureau, highlighted critical setbacks including broken body scanners at airport terminals, inadequate office infrastructure, overcrowded detention facilities, and deteriorating vehicles.
He also called for the Commission’s headquarters to be reclassified as a security zone, citing growing security risks due to private encroachment and nearby high-rise developments.
Director General of NACOC, Brigadier General Maxwell Obiba Mantey, described the escalating drug trade as a national emergency, warning that drug barons now rival armed robbers in threat level and are gaining influence at the highest levels.
He appealed for stronger institutional support and morale-boosting interventions to preserve the integrity of NACOC officers.
Chairman of the Committee and MP for Builsa North, James Agalga, assured the Commission of the Committee’s commitment to escalate the concerns to Parliament and engage key justice sector stakeholders to fast-track reforms in support of NACOC’s mandate.
