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31.03.2014 Science

Eastern Region Environmental Protection Agency goes high-tech

By GNA
EPA LogoEPA Logo
31.03.2014 LISTEN

Koforidua, March 29, GNA - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as part of its Capacity Development Mechanism (CDM), has trained its Eastern Regional staff members to handle internal Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems.

It has also provided a mobile phone and a laptop computer to each of the staff, to enhance its internal communication strategy.

Internet connectivity and a television set to be used as electronic board for monitoring EPA activities on the field have been provided to the regional office, including three desktop computers, a printer, a photocopier and a scanner.

Now the EPA has a new official website and a corporate electronic mail address, created for each member of staff of the Agency, to ensure the easy flow of information among the staff.

These were disclosed at a short handing over ceremony in Koforidua.

Mrs Helen Asiamah, Chief Programmes Manager of EPA, said the Agency received GH45,000 from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and a technical support from the National Information Technology Agency (NITA), to improve upon communication with the EPA.

She said the initiative was geared toward transforming the EPA to meet international standards in dealing with environmental challenges.

Mrs Asiamah disclosed that the Agency was making similar provisions for all EPA offices in the country, and that so far the Eastern Region was the eighth to receive its share.

She said the equipment provided had boosted the EPA to start piloting the implementation of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) system to protect the environment.

Without reliable facts and timely data, it will be difficult to make reliable policies to protect our environment, so we are grateful for these provisions, she said.

Presenting the equipment, Mr Joseph Afarega, Director of Finance and Administration for EPA, implored the regional staff members to use the equipment judiciously and for the purpose for which they had been provided.

Receiving the equipment, Mr Felix Addo-Okyireh, Eastern Regional Director of EPA, expressed gratitude to the CIDA, NITA and top management of the Agency for resourcing the regional office.

He said neglecting information sharing with staff members in different departments hampered progress in achieving optimum performance from staff.

The planning and implementation of effective internal communication strategy for EPA has the potential of creating a cohesive culture where everyone is focused on the same goals and has the same objectives, he said.

Mr Addo-Okyireh pledged to ensure the judicious use of the equipment to improve the services of the EPA to the people of Ghana.

GNA

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