The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has launched Ghana’s Online Continuous Emission Monitoring System (GOCEMS), a real-time monitoring platform aimed at enhancing environmental management and administration in the country.
The system, developed through a public-private partnership with ECHT Environmental Service Limited, will allow for continuous measurement and assessment of designated effluent quality, air quality, and ambient noise levels, providing instantaneous and factual data on pollutant concentrations.
EPA CEO Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse said the country’s current monitoring regime has been inadequate, citing the need for prompt response to pollution events. “Real-time monitoring will help in prompt response to any pollution events,” she stated.
The Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, represented by a speech read on his behalf, commended the launch of GOCEMS, noting that environmental quality monitoring has been a major challenge in Ghana’s industrial sector. The system aims to address this by providing a centralized platform for real-time data transmission, enabling early detection of pollution episodes and prompt action to protect public health.
The GOCEMS platform will provide real-time data on effluent quality, air quality (ambient and point sources), and ambient noise levels. The data will be transmitted to a control room hosted by the EPA, allowing for timely feedback and prompt action to mitigate pollution risks.
By launching GOCEMS, Ghana takes a significant step towards improving environmental management and reducing the health impacts of pollution.
