The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is set to close down all unlicensed Agrochemical shops in Atebubu in Bono East Region as concerns were raised over environmental dangers.
The Pesticides Law – Part Two (II) of the EPA Act (Pesticides Control and Management), 1994, (Act490) stipulates among other things the structure and procedure for the registration of pesticides in Ghana as well as licensing of pesticides dealers and facilities
However, some agrochemical retailer shops are operating in contravention of this provision in the Bono East Region.
Speaking during an Environmental Training workshop on safe use and handling of agrochemicals for about 30 new retailers within Atebubu Amantin Municipality, the Bono East Regional Director of EPA, Mr Anthony B.K Duah said inasmuch as the application of pesticide and other agrochemicals are important to boosting agriculture, misapplication of the products and mismanagement of the waste could create dangerous environmental and health consequences.
Mr Anthony Duah, therefore, made a presentation on pesticide regulations in Ghana, storage of the products, the need for wearing personal protective equipment and proper procedures for disposal of the waste to enlighten participants on the regulation.
He said it is mandatory for every agrochemical shop to be licensed before opened to the public therefore persons operating agrochemical shops without licenses are operating illegally.
Mr Daniel Baidoo and Emmanuel Bih all Assistant Programme Officers of the Environmental Protection Agency – Atebubu Area Office in their presentations on pesticides label and shop specifications respectively.
On his part, Mr Daniel Baidoo stated that a pesticide label is a legal document approved by the Agency and therefore retailers should be mindful of it when choosing any pesticide.
He further indicated that all information needed for the safe handling and use of the product has been provided on the label to limit issues of soil toxicities, water pollution and other environmental issues. He stressed that proper dosage, disposal of containers, dangers associated with the use of the product and its corresponding safety or first aid measures are components of the label.
Mr Emmanuel Bih, mentioned that agrochemical shops are points of storage before pesticides get to final users be it a warehouse, wholesale or Retail. According to Mr Bih, the EPA acts specifies the minimum size for an agrochemical retail shop which is 10ft x 10ft and cautioned members to seek technical advice from the EPA on the suitability of the retail shop location.
He said agrochemicals contain elements that are highly inflammable and could cause havoc if it gets in touch with the source of fire, therefore participants should desist from cooking in their shops, as well as eating in the shops.
Mr Emmanuel Bih advised retailers to avoid sitting in the shops stocked with chemicals and rather have a separate office to attend to customers to prevent negative health implications.
He urged them to also undergo regular medical checkups.
The Atebubu Area Head of EPA, Miss Irene Jemilatu Yaro whose office organized the workshop stated that the purpose was to training new agrochemical retailers was to ensure adherence to regulations on agrochemicals.
She said her office will soon clamp down on all illegal agrochemical shops in the Municipality.
Source: Mybrytnewsroom.com/Obed Ansah
