Environmental degradation in contemporary times (Part 3)

 Unfortunately, some anti-so­cial human activities today often breach these Islamic principles :

• Illegal mining (Galamsey) leads to water pollution and destroys fertile lands.

• Improper sand mining causes land degradation and deforesta­tion.

• Unauthorised tree felling endangers ecosystems and biodi­versity.

• Encroachment on wetlands and water ways leads to urban flooding and ecological imbalance.

These destructive practices vio­late the ethical duty of humans as stewards of the earth and

contradict both Islamic law and state regulations.

Key International

Environmental Protocols

• Ramsar Convention on Wet­lands – Adopted in 1971, Iran

• United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) – Ad­opted in 1982, Jamaica

• Montreal Protocol on Substanc­es that Deplete the Ozone Layer – Adopted in 1987

• Convention on Biological Diver­sity – Opened for signature at the Rio Earth Summit, 1992

• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – Adopted in 1992

• Kyoto Protocol – Adopted in 1997, Japan

• Paris Agreement on Climate Change – Adopted in 2015

These protocols aim to promote sustainable environmental practic­es, mitigate climate change, and preserve natural habitats. Islam’s emphasis on balance, responsibili­ty, and justice aligns with the goals of these agreements.

Provisions in the 1992

Constitution of Ghana

The 1992 Constitution of Ghana upholds environmental protection:

• Article 36(9): “The State shall take appropriate measures needed to protect and

safeguard the national environ­ment for posterity.”

• Article 41(k): “It shall be the duty of every citizen to protect and safeguard the

environment.”

These provisions demonstrate that environmental responsibility is a constitutional duty for both state and citizens.

National Legal Statutes on

Environmental Protection

Ghana has enacted various envi­ronmental laws, including:

• Environmental Protection Agen­cy Act, 1994 (Act 490).

This law established the Environ­mental Protection Agency (EPA) as the main state

institution responsible for pro­tecting and improving Ghana’s environment.

The EPA monitors pollution, regulates industrial activities, issues envi­ronmental permits, and

ensures that development proj­ects undergo Environmental Im­pact Assessments (EIA)

before approval.

Purpose: To control pollution and ensure sustainable environmental practices in industries, agriculture, and urban development.