The International Association for Impact Assessment has congratulated environmental professionals in Ghana for their contributions to the Ghanaian economy.

Three years ago, the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) and the National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP) celebrated the first Environmental Professionals Day, to recognize and acknowledge the crucial contributions of environmental professionals in the continuous pursuit of a just and sustainable world for all living things.

This year, Environmental Professionals Day is endorsed by a consortium of organizations, including the NAEP, IAIA, American Cultural Resource Association (ACRA), American Public University (APU), and the International Association for Impact Assessment - Ghana.

The day also marks the birthday of Leonardo da Vinci, a man who made substantial contributions to science, ranging from anatomy, engineering and architecture. This is a fitting reflection of the diversity among environmental professionals: scientists, engineers, planners, sociologists, archaeologists, and healthcare experts. These professionals use their varied expertise to help safeguard social and natural resources, with the aim of sustainable development.

The International Association for Impact Assessment saysin Ghana, Environmental professionals continue to protect the country’s natural environment, social structures, and human health and safety to secure a higher quality of life for all people.

The association quizzes, “Can you imagine Ghana without environmental professionals, a project without an Environmental, Social and Governance or E&S Safeguards Specialist, a business without an EHS officer or sustainability personnel or environmental health specialists?

Undoubtedly, they intimate that environmental professionals play a vital role in safeguarding Ghana's environment, particularly amidst the three main challenging interlinked planetary crises: climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.

“They noted that, “As members of IAIA-Ghana, we have worked tirelessly to promote sound environmental management, ensured compliance with environmental regulations and sustained a community of competent environmental practitioners across all sectors.”

On this Environmental Professionals Day 2023, the association commends ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS particularly IAIA Members, corporate organizations, financial institutions, professional bodies, academia, civil society organizations, media etc. who work tirelessly to promote sustainable development.

“We especially recognize the work of our corporate members (Environmental Protection Agency, Volta River Authority, Centre for Environment and Health, Research and Training, SAL Consult Ltd, ESL Consulting Ltd, Environ Engineering and Management Consult, Envi-Logica Consult Ltd, NEMAS Consult Ltd, Envirorich Consult Ltd, Cares Consult Ltd, Nature Solutions Ltd and Constromart Investment Ltd), our student chapter at the University of Mines and Technology, our development partners (World Bank, IFC, USAID, etc.,), civil society groups such as the Media Coalition against Illegal Mining. We appreciate your commitment and efforts in promoting sound environmental practices,” the association stated.

While environmental professionals bear significant responsibility in ensuring sustainability, the association says achieving this goal requires the participation of all individuals, businesses, governments, and policymakers.

“As we celebrate and thank our gallant environmental professionals, we want to remind the Ghanaian, both young and old, that the pursuit of a more sustainable world rests not only on the shoulders of these professionals but on us all,” the association stated.  

IAIA-Ghana is an inter-disciplinary group of individuals and organizations from all sectors: government, industry, training, research, consultancies and community bases concerned with environmental stewardship and sustainability.