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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
MR Samuel Yao Atidzah, the Executive Director of GOSANET Foundation, has stated that HIV does not define a person, but “dignity, respect and love do.”
He reminded Ghanaians that no one should face discrimination because of his or her HIV status.
Mr Atidzah said this in a statement in Ho of the Volta Region to commemorate World Zero Discrimination Day.
The Day was initiated by UNAIDS in 2014 and celebrated annually on March 1 by the UN and other Organisations to promote equality, inclusion, and peace for everyone regardless of age, gender, race, or sexual orientation.
It highlights the need to end discrimination laws and actions, particularly regarding HIV/AIDS stigma.
This year’s day is on the theme: ‘People first: Standing united for dignity, equality and inclusion.’
Mr Atidzah urged all to stand together to end stigma and discrimination and promote inclusion, support People Living with AIDS in their communities.
“We have often been quick in judging people just because he or she has contracted the HIV virus; we’re in a haste to brand them as people lacking dignity.”
“We must also not lose sight of the fact that it is not every patient that attract the disease from sexual inter-course. There are those that were born with it and those who were cut by affected by objects,” he explained.
He advised all to know their status through HIV Self-testing kits, adding “it is private, confidential, safe and empowering.”
The Executive Director urged both young and old that taking charge of their health was a sign of strength and not shame.
“I urge all and sundry to get tested now, know your status, protect yourself and protect others,” he noted. –GNA
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THREE inter-related books chronicling the political history of Ghana’s Heads of State are set to be launched this month.
The books offers readers an in-depth account of the country’s constitutional and military leadership from independence to the Fourth Republic.
Authored by former Presidential Reporter of The Ghanaian Times, F. Baffour Opoku, the books explore the ideologies, leadership styles, achievements, challenges and international engagements of Ghana’s past leaders.
The first book, Constitutional Rule in Ghana’s First, Second and Third Republics, examines the administrations of Kwame Nkrumah, Edward Akufo-Addo, Kofi Abrefa Busia and Hilla Limann, highlighting key political and socio-economic developments during the First, Second and Third Republics.
The second publication, Constitutional Rule in Ghana’s Fourth Republic, provides insight into leadership under the Fourth Republic, covering the era of Jerry John Rawlings, John Agyekum Kufuor, John Evans Atta Mills, John Dramani Mahama, and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The third book, Military Rule in Ghana between 1966 and 1993, documents significant political events during periods of military governance.
It discusses the leadership of Joseph Arthur Ankrah, first Chairman of the National Liberation Council (NLC); Akwasi Amankwa Afrifa, second Chairman of the NLC; Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, Chairman of the National Redemption Council (NRC) and later the Supreme Military Council (SMC); Frederick William Kwasi Akufo, Chairman of the reconstituted SMC; and Jerry John Rawlings, who led both the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) and the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC).
According to the author, the books provide detailed, one-stop information on the activities and governance records of each Head of State during their respective tenures.
In addition to political analysis, the books feature biographical accounts of the Heads of State, as well as colourful photo albums capturing significant national events during their tenure.
Mr Opoku notes that as Chief Executives of the nation, the leaders profiled in the books served with dedication and commitment, and their contributions to nation-building deserve recognition and documentation for present and future generations.
The launch is expected to attract political figures, academics, members of the media and the general public.
By Spectator Reporter
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