EPA to withdraw cars emitting fumes

Accra, Sept. 8, GNA- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Thursday announced measures to curb environmental pollution caused by fumes from vehicles.

Mr William Abaidoo, Public Relations Officer of the EPA said the collaborative effort with the Motor Traffic Transport Union ([MTTU) would involve the use of a computer device to check the pollution level of vehicles.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Accra he warned that vehicles with high levels of pollution would be withdrawn from the roads.

Mr Abaidoo suggested the need for a law to curb environmental pollution caused by the emissions.

He noted that such a measure was necessary since Ghana had not adopted standards of emission to determine the level of vehicular pollution, which was inimical to public health. Mr Abaidoo said the only regulation on the emission of fumes was the MTTU 1974 Act.

The Act states that, "No vehicle or person shall emit smoke into the environment to the annoyance of passengers or people." Mr Abaidoo said high rate of fumes could lead to climatic change, which could have an adverse effect on agricultural productivity and malnutrition in children.

" Carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide could cause climate change and affect the rainfall pattern."

Mr Abaidoo asked the Drivers Vehicle License Authority, Ghana Private Road Transport Union and the Ministry of Health to collaborate efforts to ensure fume-free Ghana.