Ministry of Environment Science and Technology

You will recall that on the 10th of June this year, the Ministry of Environment Science and Technology (MEST) directed all communication network operators in the country to obtain the necessary environmental permits before installing communication equipments.

This directive was as a result of avalanche of letters the Ministry received from the general public relative to indiscriminate and unauthorized installation of communication masts and other accessories. According to a senior citizen who petitioned the ministry, �The mast constitutes a direct invasion of our property and environment and is totally unacceptable�.

A similar petition occasioned a working visit by the Minister for Environment, Science and Technology and her technical staff to Chabaa � Odorkor where an unauthorised communication switch station was under construction by Scancom Ghana Limited � MTN.

The Minister subsequently directed that work is put on hold awaiting clearance by the Town and Country Planning, The Environmental Protection Agency, and the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC).

A report from the GAEC to the Minister for Environment, Science and Technology indicated gross non co-operation on the part of Scancom Ghana Ltd hence frustrating attempts to conduct radiation test on the Chabaa � Odokor site.

In the interest of the public living in and around the construction site, the Minister has evoked the Environmental Protection ACT 1994, ACT 490. By this, Scancom Ghana Ltd has been directed to stop work immediately on the site until further notice.

The Ministry is once again advising all communication network operators not only to co-operate with the statutory regulatory state agencies but also to be sensitive to the concerns of the citizenry.

Ms. SHERRY AYITTEY

MINISTER