By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The Metro Environmental Health Director at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) Mrs. Florence Kuukyi has called on the government to support the environmental health unit with the needed logistics to function effectively and efficiently.
According to her, the environmental health units at the various assemblies across the country are lagging behind in terms of logistics which she noted is negatively affecting the output of personnel.
Mrs. Kuukyi made this call when speaking in an interview on the sidelines of the commemoration of the 2023 World Environmental Health Day celebration.
The commemorative ceremony which was held in Accra was on the theme; “Global Environmental Public Health: Standing up to protect everyone’s Health each and every day.”
According to her, environmental health officers do not have even bicycles to aid their work let alone to talk about vehicles. “Our work is not a board room type of work but a fieldwork, per our work we always have to be out there in the communities but here is a case where the units don’t have even bicycles to convey them to the fields or in the communities to conduct inspections, monitoring, and evaluation.” She retorted.
Another challenge facing the Environmental Health unit, which the AMA Metro Environmental Health Director wants it address is the uncertainty of which ministry the unit is placed under. “As we speak we don’t know which ministry we are placed under so that we can channel our grievances, concerns, or ideas for it to be addressed.” She reiterated.
Mrs. Kuukyi re-echoing the importance of environmental health in the scheme of national development, explained that environmental health is a field that transcends borders and encompasses the collective efforts of individuals, communities, governments, and organizations worldwide, thus her clarion call for logistical support from both the state and corporate bodies.
“As we look around the world, we are faced with pressing challenges that affect not only our environment but also our health. Climate change, air and water pollution, deforestation, and the loss of biodiversity are just a few of the critical issues that demand our attention and action. The choices we make today have far-reaching consequences for future generations.
The theme for this year’s celebration serves as a poignant reminder of the critical role that environmental public health plays in our lives. It compels us to stand up as stewards of our planet and advocate for the health of every person, irrespective of their location, background, or circumstance. It challenges us to embrace the responsibility that comes with our roles as Environmental Health Practitioners, to leave behind a legacy of environmental sustainability and public health for generations to come.” She noted.
Mrs. Kuukyi is therefore, urging the government, CSOs, and other stakeholders to deepen collaboration and ensure inclusivity, scale-up advocacy, sustainability, and education in order to address climate and other public health-related issues.
The occasion was used to launch the Graduate Environmental Health and Sanitation Professional Association–Ghana as well as to honour some staff of the unit who excelled during the COVID-19 pandemic.
