The Savannah Regional Department of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has called for the need for proper use and management of pesticides by the Public to ensure a safe environment for human habitation.
“The public, particularly retailers of pesticides have been asked to read labels and instructions of such products and explain them to users to apply them more appropriately. When this is done, it could save all of us from the residue of such chemicals which endanger our lives”, officials from the Regional Office, Damongo, said.
The officials made this known during an interview with Yagbon radio morning show” Tea Cup” on September 24, 2021, on “Pesticides Regulation and its proper use in Ghana” .
The officials indicated that there was the need for compliance of EPA regulations on the handling of pesticides in the country, as pesticides were important to achieve maximum food production .
The officials explained that the legal framework of the EPA act 1994, (act 490, part (II) for the control and management of pesticides in Ghana made it an obligation that all pesticides must be registered before they could be used in Ghana and the EPA was ensuring that all pesticides were registered and well labeled, adding “All pesticides dealers were to be licensed before they could deal in them”.
They pointed out that the legal framework was not only to regulate pesticides but to protect human health, safety and the environment as far as the use of pesticides is concerned.
The officials defined pesticides as a substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling or reducing the destructive effects of a pest and or substances intended for the use as a plant regulator, defoliant, desiccant or wood preservative.
They urged pesticides dealers or users to take important notice of signal words like “Danger-Poison, Danger, Warning, Caution” to avoid injuring themselves, others or the environment by misusing the pesticides.
The officials indicated that as much as possible, a chemical dealer ought to be able to read and understand basic instructions on labels before they can obtain a permit to sell them.
All pesticides are supposed to have an EPA number on their labels before they are allowed into the market, they added.
They reiterated that EPA Act of 1994 (Act 490 part II), mandates that all pesticides must be registered and licensed in Ghana before they are sold to the public and urged all those interested in dealing with the sale, manufacturing, distribution, packaging, spring of pesticides to follow the right procedures in acquiring their license.
They maintained that anyone who contravenes the provision of act will have his or her pesticides confiscated or permit revoked.
Source: yagbonradioonline
