The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its Norwegian Partners have described the preparedness of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority’s (GPHA) oil spillage responsiveness as impressive.
This came up when the GPHA participated in the National Oil Spill Equipment Inventory Exercise, which allows the EPA and its Norwegian technical partners to assess the capabilities and preparedness of on-shore and off-shore facilities and resources in the country to tackle oil spills.
After the assessment, the EPA and its partners commended the GPHA for its human and technical resources available to fight oil spills, an indication of its capability to prevent such disasters and mitigate the spread of oil in case of an incident within the port environment.
Mr. Larry Koteo, the Deputy Director of the EPA, stated that they were very impressed with the capabilities of the GPHA, indicating that his outfit had been having some national exercises at the Tier One and Tier 2 levels with the Port Authority annually.
Mr Koteo said the GPHA’s move to get some additional capabilities in terms of the response equipment was very impressive, stating that it was an asset for the country.
“EPA is happy about it because once there is any oil spill anywhere within our marine waters, we can fall on GPHA to support us,” he said.
Mr Helge Andersen, a Special Advisor, Environment Emergency Response, Norwegian Coastal Administration, stated that his outfit was happy to see the seriousness attached to environmental threats in Ghana’s maritime setup.
Mr Andersen said looking at the ships crowded at the port, meant that accidents such as being grounded, colliding and then spilling oil into the sea could easily happen, hence the importance of having equipment available within the shortest time to address the situation.
Captain Daniel Quartey, the Deputy Harbour Master and on-scene commander at GPHA, said the company would continue to upgrade its capacities in order to remain a reliable point of call for Ghana for oil spill response.
He explained that the GPHA conducted its own in-house inspection regularly, as well as the necessary drills quarterly in a year, to ensure it stayed on top of the job at all times.
Latest Stories
-
I was suspended in SHS after making a dance video with my uniform – Lisa Quama
36 mins -
GTA gears up for National Tourism Awards 2024
39 mins -
Prof. Gyampo criticises vacating of MP seats due to cross-carpeting
3 hours -
A critical examination of Speaker Alban Bagbin’s ruling on potential breaches of Article 97(1)(G) and (H)
4 hours -
Trump calls 6 January ‘day of love’ when asked about Capitol riot
5 hours -
UTAG calls for immediate prosecution of persons arrested for engaging in galamsey
5 hours -
Prof Ransford Gyampo: And Speaker Bagbin declared 4 seats vacant…
5 hours -
Secret Service has ‘deep flaws’ and must overhaul leadership, report says
5 hours -
Kenya’s deputy president sacked while in hospital
6 hours -
One Direction ‘devastated’ at Liam Payne’s death
6 hours -
Ghana’s debt to ease to 70% of GDP in 2024; another debt default unlikely – Fitch
6 hours -
Meta fires staff for buying toothpaste, not lunch
6 hours -
U-20 AFCON 2025Q: Afriyie’s brace earns Ghana draw against Benin
6 hours -
US ‘click to cancel’ rule to ban subscription traps
6 hours -
Speaker is completely out of order; he is wrong on this ruling – K.T Hammond
6 hours