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I am a business reporter with Daily Guide and Business Guide newspapers published by the Western Group of Companies. I was a general reporter when I joined Daily Guide in 2006, but along the line I realized the need to specialize. So I found business reporting as the best area to specialize and I have been on the desk for about four years now. Since I started reporting on business related issues my interest has being in the areas of telecommunications, the extractive industry (ie. oil, gas and mining), and the Small and Medium scale Enterprise (SME) sector. I have a page dedicated to SMEs in the weekly Business Guide newspaper were I write features on the SME sector in Ghana. In view of this I was adjudged the best SME reporter for 2009 during the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) awards in 2010. This has further motivated me to pursue development driven stories which will help change policies and enhance the livelihoods of Ghanaians. I am a member of the Ghana Journalists Association and an executive member of the Network of Communication Reporters (NCR) in Ghana.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Minister Wads Into Illegal Mounting of Mast

Daily Guide

By Esther Awuah

THE MINISTRY of Environment, Science and Technology (MEST) says its investigations have revealed that some communication network operators in the country have mounted mast without the necessary permit from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

According to the Ministry, this has resulted in numerous complaints concerning potential public health risks and safety of such installations particularly those located in residential areas.

A statement from the Ministry has therefore directed all communication network operators in the country to obtain the necessary environmental permit for all proposed mast sites before installation.

“This requires that each investor completes an Environmental Assessment Registration form and submit to the EPA with the following attachments; site plan duly signed by Licensed Surveyor, Block Plan Evidence of Neighbourhood Consultation; Lease Agreement.

The Ministry further advised the companies to avoid locating their mast in areas which are not suitable, particularly densely populated residential areas to avert possible accidents to life and property.

It also reminded all “investors in communication in the country that under section 29 of the Environmental Assessment Registration 1999, LI 1652, all such developments are to be registered and environmental permits obtained before construction commences.”

Non-compliance of this regulation it emphasized, is an offence which may evoke the necessary sanctions which includes summary conviction to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to both.

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