THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY LAUNCHES GUIDELINES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF THE OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT IN GHANA.
The Environmental Protection Agency has on Friday, 30th November, 2012 launched the Guidelines for environmental assessment and management of the offshore oil and gas development in Ghana. It was launched at the Coconut Grove Regency Hotel here in Accra.
The launch was very brief and concise with a welcoming address by Ag. Executive Director, EPA, witnessed by different stakeholders including the media.
He mentioned in his speech among other things that the promulgation of the Environmental Assessment Regulations, LI 1652 in 1999 gave a comprehensive legal cover to the Ghana Environmental Impact Assessment procedures developed by the Agency in 1995. The objective of the LI, he says is to ensure that such developmental activities are carried out in an environmentally sound and sustainable manner such that the nature of the responsibilities of the different stakeholders are clearly defined depending on their statutory functions, areas of jurisdiction and interest such as policy makers, implementation or regulatory agencies, planning authorities, financial intermediaries or institutions providing training or consultants providing services in EIA.
An important aspect of the programme was the development of Environmental Assessment Sector Specific Guidelines for eight sectors. At the time, the oil and gas sector was only that of the downstream activities. It was therefore included in the general energy sector.
However, the key of oil and gas guidelines are, defining the screening criteria for environmental assessment for the oil and gas investments. Determining the scope of environmental impact assessment of the sector. Providing systematic procedures on environmental impact statement preparations for the sector and providing guidelines on common potential impacts and mitigation measures.
The Executive Director mentioned among other things that, $51 million have been secured for a five year project and about $4 million going directly to fund activities of the EPA. The guideline will be a valuable tool for the EPA to assess the activities of oil and gas industry in Ghana.
There are some strategies adopted by the EPA. These include, capacity building, collection of base line information, emergency response, etc. Again, 25 new staff have been recruited for training under this project. The government of Ghana entered into an agreement with the Norwegian government to provide technical assistant to a tune of $6 million.
There was also an appreciation to the team of Norwegian professionals led by Mr. Jonny Auestad, programme Coordinator.
The EPA also used the opportunity to launch their new website, which is www.epaoilandgas.org
Story by Malise Otoo.
INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT CONFERENCE.
Theme: “Boosting Investments in sustainable Forestry, Forest Carbon and Renewable Energy.''
According to Michael Jenkins, CEO of Forest Trends and moderator at the conference, “A national emission scheme must be developed by Ghana.” He made this suggestion during the conference at the Lapalm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra. Perhaps this can be lined to the already existing module of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Again, Jane Feehan, a representative of the European Investment Bank and a natural resources specialist made mentioned that the first partnership agreement on illegal logging was first signed with Ghana and the EU. Thus, Ghana became the thrill blazer in this regard. She went on further to state that the EIB Bank is ready to invest in Ghana’s economy as well as provide funds in the form of venture capitals to local companies whose core values is to create environmental awareness on climate change. The EUs effort to tackle illegal logging must be emphasized.
One can safely say that funding is good. However, at the end of the day, do multinationals consider the sustainability of these projects towards contributing positively to preserving the environment? There is sometimes a lack of understanding of the requirements from multinationals to these local companies.
Furthermore, projects must comply with the equator principles to meet standards regarding the environment. Companies on their part demand greater transparency in the selection process but in a sharp rebuttal, multinationals reassured that due diligence is done on projects proposals and said that sustainability is key and must be around as long as the project is around.
-Story by Malise Otoo.
