EPA holds ozone seminar in Cape Coast

The acting Director and National Ozone Officer at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Joseph Baffoe, has urged all, particularly young people, to consciously adopt behaviours and attitudes that protect the ozone layer, environment and humanity.

He stated that the interconnectivity of the environment and humanity required conscious efforts towards protecting the ozone layer to sustain humanity and the environment.

Mr Baffoe made the call during a seminar at the Oguaa Senior Technical School in Cape Coast, last Wednesday, to observe World Ozone Day.

The seminar, which was organised by the EPA in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), was aimed at raising public awareness of climate change, the ozone layer and various environmental challenges facing Ghana. 

Ozone depletion

Mr Baffoe explained that the ozone layer serves a vital protective role for the environment and cautioned, "If we don’t take care, we will lose all the positive things we deduce from the ozone layer."

He said that the widespread patronage of refrigerators with Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) labels was contributing to the ozone layer damage.

He observed that although Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) were recommended as an alternative, they still had some impact on the environment, adding that efforts were underway to gradually phase them out and replace them with more environmentally friendly options, such as hydrocarbons (HCs).

Mr Baffoe stated that over the years, the Montreal Protocol had introduced numerous initiatives to reduce and, in some cases, eliminate harmful chemicals that deplete the ozone layer.

He urged the public to choose products containing hydrocarbons, as a means of safeguarding both human health and the environment.

In a speech delivered on his behalf, the Central Regional Director of the EPA, Omanhene Kwaku Boateng, expressed concern that climate change remained a significant threat despite various measures, attributing this partly to the irresponsible use of ozone-depleting substances.

Mr Oppong added that "when the world works together, we can achieve a remarkable result that would help protect our ozone layer and climate," urging everyone to avoid chemicals that have detrimental effects on the environment.

World Ozone Day

The World Ozone Day, observed on September 16 each year, raises awareness about the importance of the ozone layer and the efforts needed to protect it.

Established by the United Nations, the day commemorates the signing of the Montreal Protocol in 1987, a landmark agreement aimed at phasing out ozone-depleting substances like CFCs.