Environmental consideration is vital - Churcher

Accra, Sept 23, GNA - Ms Christine Churcher, Minister for Environment and Science, on Thursday said for the government to be able to achieve development for the country it has to ensure high environmental standards.

Citing the case of Sweden, she said that country had achieved a lot, because the whole nation was environmentally conscious and nothing taken for granted.

Ms Churcher was interacting with officials of Fan Milk Ghana limited during a familiarisation tour of the facility to ascertain the company's environmental standard at first hand.

In the Minister's entourage were the Deputy Minister, Dr Gheysika Agambila and the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Chief Executive Officer, Mr Jonathan Allotey and some experts.

Speaking during the inspection, Ms Churcher pointed out that it was one thing setting up industries and another to ensuring that the companies abided by the environmental standards set for them. She said the Ministry was devising a new strategy to deal with environmental problems with special emphasis on the development of the child.

"For this project code-named 'the child and the environment,' which would soon be launched we are expecting you to support the Ministry with this project," she said.

The Minister expressed satisfaction with the way Fan Milk had been managing the issue of plastic waste and urged it not to rest on its oars, but to strive to achieve excellence. Mr Jesper B Jeppesen, Managing Director of Fan Milk, said the company had spent a lot on waste management this year and promised that it would continue to protect the environment. He said the company had developed a documentary film that would be sent round schools to educate children on the need to keep the environment clean.

The Minister and her entourage also visited the Guinness Ghana Breweries Group and Phyto- Riker Pharmaceutical Limited, both at Achimota in Accra, where she commended the companies for their environmental standards. 23 Sept 05