Report On Tax Compliance And Environmental Issues In Shama District

On August 30th, Friends of the Nation, in collaboration with the Shama District Assembly, conducted a monitoring exercise at selected companies to assess their compliance with environmental policies. The monitoring team included members from the Ghana National Fire Service, Physical Planning, NADMO, and the Development Planning Unit. They visited various sites, including quarries, clay and sand mining operations, filling stations, and waste management companies such as Zeal Environmental Services and Zoil. It was established that these companies adhered to the EPA’s conformity standards.

Mr. William Denkyi, Project Officer at Friends of the Nation, stated that this project is part of the ‘Climate Media Collaborative for Economic Justice and Community Rights.’ It follows a community engagement initiative addressing environmental issues to promote climate-sensitive living. He emphasised the importance for companies to maintain their social licenses by continually engaging with the community to address and resolve climate-related concerns collaboratively.

At Zeal Environmental Services, Mr. Kwaku Ennin, the Founder and Board Chairman, expressed that safeguarding the ecosystem is crucial for human survival, which is why the company stringently follows the regulations set by city authorities. DO2 Emmanuel Bonney, the Shama District Commander of the Ghana National Fire Service, commended the companies for their display of safety signs and noted that the GNFS conducts regular visits and training sessions to ensure adherence to safety standards. He hopes that such compliance continues to be upheld.