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EPA calls for private sector support to reclaim degraded lands
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The Chief Executive of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse, has appealed to the private sector to work with government and environmental agencies to help reclaim degraded lands across the country.
She made the call during a changfan ban enforcement operation in the Ashanti Region, where she expressed concern over the devastating effects of illegal mining on farmlands, forests, and water bodies.
Professor Klutse revealed that an estimated three million hectares of land have been destroyed due to illegal mining, according to reports from the World Bank and the EPA’s own findings.
“We are deeply worried because about three million hectares of land have been degraded. To restore these lands to their original state requires a lot of work, backfilling the holes, giving the rivers their original paths, planting trees, and bringing the environment back in order,” she said.
She added that the cost of reclamation is very high, making it difficult for the government and the EPA to shoulder the burden alone.
“It’s a huge cost on the state, government, and EPA. We are therefore advocating for the private sector to come in to support the reclamation of our lands and restoration of our water bodies,” Professor Klutse stated.
She noted that the EPA is currently working to secure funds and seeking proposals to support land reclamation and water body restoration projects across the country.
According to her, although the situation is worrying, the EPA remains committed to protecting the environment and ensuring that degraded lands are restored for sustainable use.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Accra Regional Police Command has arrested five people and retrieved firearms, ammunition and other offensive items during an intelligence led operation at Sapeiman Faase in the Greater Accra Region.
According to a press release issued by the Command on Monday, the operation was carried out jointly with the National Police Intelligence Directorate (NPID) on July 17, 2026.
The Police identified the suspects as Torgbui Agah Semaglo, 50, Shadrach Agah Semaglo, 22, William Kweku Sedanu, 21, Cyril Kassenu, 26, and Kingsford Agah Semaglo, 18.
The Command said a search at the suspects’ premises led to the retrieval of a pump action gun, a Stoeger ST R9 pistol, a dummy Austria pistol, a jackknife, a face mask, 12 BB cartridges, three rounds of 9mm ammunition, one AK-47 round of ammunition, a talisman and two kitchen knives.
It noted that all the items had been kept as exhibits to support investigations.
The Police said preliminary investigations suggested that the suspects were members of a criminal group involved in armed robbery and landguard activities.
It alleged that they used the recovered weapons to terrorise residents in Sapeiman and nearby communities.
The suspects are currently in Police custody assisting with investigations, while efforts continue to determine their involvement in other robbery cases and related criminal activities. The Police also said it was working to identify and arrest any additional accomplices.
The Accra Regional Police Command commended members of the public for providing credible information that supported its work and urged residents to remain vigilant.
It encouraged the public to report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station or through the Police emergency numbers, adding that it remained committed to protecting lives and property across the region.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has announced that a revised national curriculum for kindergarten to junior high school will be presented to the Ministry of Education on Wednesday for further approval.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series today, Mr. Iddrisu said the new curriculum was developed by the National Curriculum Assessment Agency (NaCCA) as part of efforts to improve teaching and learning at the basic education level.
According to him, the revised curriculum will be formally submitted to the Ministry before it is forwarded to President John Dramani Mahama. He added that it will then be sent to Cabinet and Parliament for consideration and approval.
Mr. Iddrisu said the revised curriculum is designed to support a “Smart Start” approach by strengthening the teaching of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
He explained that the government intends to introduce new subjects, including coding, electronics, artificial intelligence (AI) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), into the basic school curriculum.
The Minister said the changes form part of the government’s commitment to equipping pupils with practical and digital skills needed to meet the demands of the modern world.
He expressed confidence that the revised curriculum would help prepare learners for future opportunities by integrating technology and innovation into education from the early years of schooling.
By: Jacob Aggrey
