A Project Liaison Officer, Nana Yaw Ampem Darko Jnr. has suggested to the government to consider creating offices at the District and Municipal levels to take charge of the Natural Resources to help solve its related challenges.
According to Nana Ampem Darko Jnr, decentralizing the powers to the district and municipal assemblies will help deal with issues encountering the country’s natural resources.
He made reference to the country’s constitution where he indicated that there are laws enacted for such offices at the various local levels.
He supported his assertion by reference to Act 936 section 80 of the constitution which proves the provision of such offices and LI 1961 touches on the natural resources, wildlife, and forestry games.
He lamented saying “it is in the constitution so why does the minister sit in Accra and tell people to protect the environment, it cannot work.”
According to the former Assembly Member for Atimpoku Electoral area in the Asuogyaman District, when these laws are implemented, proactive personnels can be appointed to ensure all resources within the localities are kept safety.
Touching on the appointment of a responsible directors to those department, he said they can hold accountable for any damage to that effect.
“Recently we had a case on health at our district, the health director was shaking because he will be held accountable so if there is a director in charge of natural resources at the districts do you think he or she will allow such a thing to happen?” he asked
Nana Yaw Ampem Darko Jnr. therefore draws the attention of the government to focus on the Local governance acts and LI’s because those could be the possible solution to our challenges.
He made the call to Angel FM’s Jaman Dehyia Opambour during a hiking on the Akwamu Hills Community Forest that mark this year’s world tourism day, Tuesday, September 27, 2022.
On their part, the Vice Chancellor and Registrar of University of Environment and sustainable development (UESD), Professor Eric Nyarko Sampson and Mrs. Mariam Abena Agyapong urge all to protect the natural resources and the environment for the next generation.
