Don’t deal leniently with environmental offences – Supreme Court Judge
A Justice of the Supreme Court has asked judges not to deal leniently with environmental offences.
Justice Joseph Bawah Akamba said offenders ought to face the full rigours of the law to deter other people.
Addressing a training workshop for judges at Akyawkrom in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality, he expressed worry at the impunity with which the ecology and biodiversity are being degraded on daily basis.
Justice Akamba observed that some pollution, particularly those pertaining to water bodies and the air could have lasting effect on the health of the people.
The programme was jointly organised by the Judicial Training Institute and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
It sought to assist the participants to appreciate critical environmental issues, environmental management principles and related offences.
Topics discussed included: “Contemporary Emerging Environmental Challenges,” “The Role of the Courts in Combating Emerging Environmental Offences,” and “International Conventions and Agreements on the Environment.”
Justice Akamba charged the judges to take seriously the lessons learnt at the workshop to broaden their knowledge on the environment.
Mr Ebenezer Appah-Sampong of the EPA said his outfit would continue to engage stakeholders to deepen their understanding on environmental issues to benefit the nation.
Source: GNA