President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr Albert Kwabena Dwumfour has re-affirmed the GJA’s commitment to working with the UN Special Rapporteur on Toxics and Human Rights, Mr Marcos A. Orellana and his team to ensure the safety of Ghanaians by removing toxic substances from affected communities.
The GJA, he said observed that toxic exposure has direct consequences on the enjoyment of human rights, people’s life, health, and livelihoods, hence the need to ensure the environment is safe from toxic substances.
Mr Dwumfour gave the assurance at a press briefing by the UN Special Rapporteur on Toxics and Human Rights, held on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at the International Press Centre in Accra.
Mr. Marcos Orellana, who has been in Ghana from November 30 to December 13, 2022, has been assessing the country’s human rights situation concerning toxics and hazardous substances.
He has also been in the country to particularly identify good practices and examine the use and management of chemicals and hazardous waste in the country.
The meeting was to share his preliminary findings and recommendations on his assessment of the country’s human rights situation concerning toxics and hazardous substances after visiting sites affected by toxic substances.
Speaking at the event, Mr Dwumfour urged the media to dentify and report on activities that produce toxic substances in communities, noting that Journalists cannot practice in an environment that is exposed to toxic and hazardous substances.
He noted that already, some GJA members have done extensive research and report on how the activities of some large mining companies affect the health and livelihoods of residents of host communities.
Mr Dwumfour also identified that extensive reports on the harmful effects of illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, have been done or spearheaded by some members of the GJA, leading to the current government and stakeholder fight against this illegal activity.
“Many journalists have also done extensive reporting on how e-waste materials are dumped in some Ghanaian communities, endangering the lives of innocent citizens.
This demonstrates the GJA’s commitment to ensuring Ghanaians’ safety in their various communities.
We are committed to working with the UN Special Rapporteur on Toxics and Human Rights and his team to ensure our people’s safety by removing toxic substances from affected communities,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said the GJA will continue to educate citizens on how to identify and report companies or individuals whose activities emit toxic substances into the environment.
“We, therefore, call on the Government and all stakeholders to join the fight against the emission of toxic substances in our various communities to protect our people,” he said.
Mr. Dwumfour also invited all to the GJA’s annual dinner night, which would be held at the Ghana International Press Center on December 21, 2022.
Ghana | Atinkaonline.com