Workers at the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have urgently called on the outgoing government, particularly the Leader of Government Business in Parliament, to fast-track the passage of the Environmental Protection Bill 2024 into law.
Godsway Lawson Daniels, the Divisional Chairman of the Public Service Workers Union of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) at the EPA, made this appeal during a media interview in Accra.
Daniels emphasized the importance of ensuring the bill is passed by the current Parliament to avoid further delays if the bill is postponed to the 9th Parliament. He made a heartfelt appeal to Mr. Afenyo, the Member of Parliament for Effutu and Leader of Government Business, urging him to ensure the bill is passed into law before the 8th Parliament concludes its tenure.
He explained that significant work has already gone into the bill, which is now at its final stage. Failing to pass it would be a major disservice to both the country and the environment, Daniels added.
Additionally, Daniels urged the opposition minority in Parliament to lend their support when the bill is presented for its third reading in early January 2025.
The Environmental Protection Bill 2024, introduced by the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, was scheduled for a third reading on Friday, December 20, 2024, but was deferred, with the Speaker adjourning Parliament until January 2, 2025.
Earlier, on February 20, 2024, Parliament had successfully completed the second reading of the Environmental Protection Bill 2023 during the eighth Parliament’s fourth session.
Once passed, the Bill will provide a comprehensive legal framework for coordinated efforts to address environmental protection issues in the country. It aims to consolidate several existing environmental laws, including the Environmental Protection Act, 1994 (Act 490), the Pesticides Control and Management Act, 1996 (Act 528), and the Hazardous and Electronic Waste Control and Management Act, 2016 (Act 917), into a single unified Act.
The Bill also seeks to establish the Environmental Protection Authority to oversee and coordinate environmental and climate change matters. It will re-enact the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1994 (Act 490), and introduce a Pesticides Management Fund. Additionally, it will consolidate the Hazardous and Electronic Waste Control and Management Act, 2016 (Act 917).
