Are Environmental Agencies Weak?

What would be your answer if I asked for your thoughts on the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency? Is it strong and independent enough to enforce the laws it is mandated to?

Well your answer could be a yes or no.

Maybe the views of a well-known environmental and a natural resources lawyer in Tanzania would help you make a better decision.

According to Dr Rugemeleza Nshala who was speaking to Journalists from Ghana, Tanzania and Uganda during an oil and gas training programme in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania “most of environmental agencies are very weak”

He observed that the environmental agencies, lack the required independence and staff as well as resources to enforce laws.

“They are easy to manipulate and see themselves as governmental bodies required to give effect to government wishes, “ said the man who has written numerous articles on various environmental and natural resources and land issues in Tanzania and beyond. 

“They have country’s mandate yet they are based in capital cities and are unable to reach and monitor petroleum activities in the entire country.”

I guess you are wondering if he made any suggestion on how this could be change. Yes, he sure did.

To change the statue, Dr Nshala urged civil society to get involved  in the enforcement of environmental laws. 

“CSOs must step in to demand accountability and monitor environmental agencies and oil companies activities,” he said and called on Civil society to bring lawsuits against environmental agencies and oil companies for environmental pollution or against any exploitation.

To the man who has immense knowledge on international investment law with expertise in extractive industry in Sub-Saharan Africa, it is time to demand institutional strengthening and independence of environmental agencies to ensure that they assume and perform their tasks as per the laws.

 By Emelia Ennin Abbey