Friday 23rd July 2021     Source:https://sheqpghonline.com/ghisep-meets-with-epa-to-foster-tripartite-collaboration-between-academia-industry-and-the-regulator/

On Thursday, 22nd July, GhISEP met with the EPA to begin discussions to foster a tripartite collaboration between the academia, industry and the regulator to improve environmental sustainability in Ghana.

This meeting was engendered by the recent MoU signed between GhISEP and University of Mines and Technology and GhISEP ‘s move to coordinate the effort of all the key stakeholders from the academia, industry and the EPA.

In attendance at the meeting were Hon. Dr. Henry Kwabena Kokofu, Executive Director of the EPA, Nana ANNOR AMIHERE II , National President of GhISEP, Dr. Ishmael Quaicoe, Head of Environmental and Safety Engineering Department of University of Mines and Technology, Selorm Ametewee IDIpNEBOSH, an Occupational Health and Safety Practitioner and WO1 Anthony Addotey (Rtd) GhISEP’s Administrator.

According to the National President of GhISEP, Nana ANNOR AMIHERE II, there are lots of good programs and innovations being introduced by the academia, an example being the State of the Art Laboratory for Environmental Monitoring at UMaT, which needs the support of the EPA to thrive. He added that MoUs are going to be signed with a lot more universities to ensure that the gap between the academia, industry and regulator is bridged.

The Executive Director of the EPA was very receptive to the move by GhISEP and UMaT and rest assured EPA’s support for an inter-sectorial collaboration to correct all lapses in the national environmental regime and chart a clear path for environmental sustainability .

According to him, the separation between the academia, industry and regulator does not augur well for nation building. He stated that, as the Academia comes out with research findings and recommendations, there should be a link to enable the regulator to also evaluate, establish and implement policies and programs for the industry to practice. He again added that, the outcome of such collaboration should not reinvent the wheel but rather focus on enhancing the current best practices, while identifying and correcting any loopholes.

As an environmental scientist himself, he expressed his grave concern for the environment and strong focus on programs to control the small scale mining which is taking a toll on the environment.

Dr. Ishmael Quaicoe, introduced the prototype devices for environmental monitoring which are being designed and assembled by the students through an incubation program at UMaT as an example of what students are doing and the potential for Ghana to build capacity for effective management of the environment.

The Executive Director of the EPA lauded UMaT for the impressive work and assured the availability of EPA to have further engagement for the tripartite collaboration.

He also encouraged Safety and Environmental Professionals to join their professional body which is GhISEP in order to have a united front and submit to their code of conducts in order to improve the image of the profession as safety and environment are very important for our nation building.