The Ashanti Regional Director of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Dr. Jackson Adiyiah Nyantekye, has urged Ghanaians to desist from activities that harm the environment, warning that continued environmental degradation could have severe consequences for the country.

Speaking during the commemoration of World Environment Day, Dr. Nyantekye emphasized the need for responsible stewardship of natural resources to help build a climate-resilient Ghana and safeguard the environment for future generations.

The event was held under the theme, “Building a Climate-Resilient Ghana Through Responsible Stewardship.”

According to Dr. Nyantekye, the EPA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, is intensifying public education on the dangers posed by human activities that contribute to environmental degradation and climate change.

He expressed concern over the destruction of forests through illegal and irresponsible mining activities, as well as the pollution of rivers and other water bodies, describing them as major threats to Ghana’s environmental sustainability.

“Our forests are being destroyed through irresponsible mining activities. Water bodies are also being polluted through improper practices. The evidence is clear that climate change is real and is already affecting communities around the world,” he stated.

Dr. Nyantekye noted that the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly evident and called on citizens to adopt environmentally friendly practices to help reduce the impact of climate-related disasters.

“As the climate continues to change, we must take steps to prevent further environmental degradation and ensure that disasters such as floods and other climate-related events do not become more frequent in our country,” he said.

He further urged the public to change their perception of the environment, stressing that natural resources are not limitless and must be managed responsibly.

“We should stop seeing the environment as an endless resource that can be exploited without consequences. The environment is a fragile system that can be severely damaged by human activities. If care is not taken, the effects of environmental destruction could become irreversible,” he added.

Dr. Nyantekye also reminded the public that environmental offences carry legal consequences under Ghanaian law.

He explained that the Environmental Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1124), prescribes sanctions for offenders, including fines and imprisonment.

“Depending on the nature of the offence, a person may face a fine, imprisonment of up to six months, or both,” he stated.

The EPA Director called on all stakeholders, including communities, businesses and government institutions, to work together to protect the environment and support efforts aimed at building a sustainable and climate-resilient future for Ghana.