The Central Regional Office of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has organised an intensive in-house training for the June batch of new staff of the Authority in the region.
The five-day training which was under the instructions of the Acting Regional Director of the Authority, Dr. Daniel Nartey, was meant to equip the new staff with adequate understanding of the Authority’s policies and procedures.
In his opening remarks, Dr Nartey stated that the scope of the Authority’s work underscored the need for the in-house training saying “As new employees, there is the need for us to guide you to learn the Authority’s rules, regulations and operational procedures”.
These, he said, were essential to ensure that the new employees would become familiar with environmental legislation, permits, compliance requirements, enforcement processes and education so that they would work according to established standards of the EPA to reduce the risk of errors.
“As new employees, it is a must for you to be introduced to the EPA’s mission, vision, values and expectations to help you integrate smoothly into the organization and also learn workplace safety procedures and environmental best practices, which are critical in EPA operations.” He stated
“This is why this training has been put together to equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to perform your duties efficiently and effectively so that as new staff, you will apply the same standards and approaches when dealing with stakeholders and environmental issues.” He explained further.
Dr Nartey emphasised that the work of the EPA involved Environmental Impact Assessments, permits, compliance monitoring, enforcement and education stressing that one wrong assessment or missed regulation can get the Authority sued, or let pollution slide.
He, therefore, charged the new employees to pay attention to the training and also take every session seriously in order to abreast themselves of the Environmental Protections ACT 2025, the Legislative Instrument L.I 1124 and other Legislative Instruments which govern the operations of the Authority.
The new employees were taken through series of activities including the introduction to the mandate and the functions of the EPA, Environmental Assessment Process and screening processes.
They were also schooled on the health sector, general construction, manufacturing sector, energy sector, hospitality sector, the mining sector IT processes and online permitting system as well as a comprehensive education on the public service.
Story by: Naabenyin Joojo Amissah
