…as it receives information management systems under the ARAP
The Environment Protection Agency (EPA), under the Accountability Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (ARAP) is expected to strengthen its compliance monitoring systems for the exploitation of natural resources, particularly, the small scale mining sector.
The automated system, which is made up of different e-tools, will enhance the agency’s ability to monitor permit holders in areas such as, permits registration, assessment of the risk of non-compliance, prioritizing monitoring and visits to the sites, track record of visits and breaches, among others.
Speaking at the handing-over ceremony of the information management systems, the EU Acting Charge d’ Affaires, Mr. Sergio Piccolo said the availability of information and data enables a stronger evidence-based policy design and also a better definition of public interventions responding to needs and gaps.
The e-monitoring system developed will be tested and piloted in the next three months, for the first stage in the Upper Denkyira East Municipal Assembly.
Following the evaluation and review of the initial pilot the system will be expanded to cover three other districts in the second stage.
The piloting will happen ahead of the lifting on the ban on small-scale mining, which helps the team to do some preparatory works.
“Enhancing the compliance monitoring systems in a particular sector has indeed proven to be a powerful tool in preventing, deterring and fighting corruption.”
Piccolo said, the EU is pleased to support such a priority area of the EPA, through the ARAP programme.
ARAP, a € 20 million EU-funded programme, joins and supports the efforts of the government in its fight against corruption.
In the long run, the expectation is to expand to scope of the monitoring system across the country, in the mining sector and all other natural resources permits issued will be effectively monitored.
The information management systems are powerful instrument for a more accountable, transparent and open government, as well as for a better informed decision making process.
ARAP provided EPA with computers, tablets and drones as well as other basic electronic equipment necessary to systematically record information on compliance and enable analysis.
By Joshua W. Amlanu
