Zenator assumes office as Environment, Science And Technology Minister

Dr Zenator Agyemang Rawlings has officially assumed office as the Minister for Environment, Science and Technology (MEST), pledging to work closely with management and staff to advance the Ministry’s mandate to promote scientific and technological development while protecting Ghana’s environment.

Speaking at a handover ceremony on Thursday, Dr Rawlings said the Ministry had an important role to play in ensuring that science, technology and innovation worked together to support national development without compromising environmental sustainability.

“Science, technology and innovation are meant to work hand in hand as we look towards our development that must not be at the expense of our environment,” she said.

Dr Rawlings noted that the Constitution placed a responsibility on both the government and citizens to protect the environment, stressing the need for greater public awareness and collective action to address environmental challenges.

She said the growing threats posed by climate change and environmental degradation caused by human activities made the Ministry's work particularly important.

The Minister assured management and staff that she would adopt a team-oriented approach to her work and would not favour individuals or groups, but would instead focus on achieving the Ministry’s mandate.

“Yes, indeed, I am the head of the institution, but our success will depend on how we work together, cooperate and collaborate,” she said.

Dr Rawlings also called for discipline, transparency, accountability and prudence in the management of public resources, emphasising that the resources entrusted to the Ministry belonged to taxpayers and must therefore be used responsibly.

Describing her appointment as a huge responsibility, she said she was counting on the support and expertise of the Chief Director, directors, deputies and staff to help deliver on the Ministry’s objectives.

The Acting Minister for Environment, Science and Technology and Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, outlined several initiatives undertaken by the Ministry during his tenure.

These included the revocation of L.I. 2462, which permitted mining in forest reserves, and the passage of six Legislative Instruments to give effect to the new Environmental Protection Agency Act.

He also noted that 15 new district offices of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had been opened across the country to make environmental services more accessible to citizens.

Mr Buah said Ghana had also strengthened its participation in international climate discussions, with the Ministry leading the country’s delegation to the climate conference and making a strong case for Ghana’s interests.

He further cited initiatives under the Three for Life and One Child per Tree programmes, through which thousands of seedlings had been distributed, particularly to children across the country.

Mr Buah expressed appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama for the confidence placed in him, as well as to the Ministry’s management and staff for their support during his tenure.

He urged the Ministry to sustain efforts to protect the environment while promoting science, technology, and innovation for the benefit of the country.