Fisher folks at the Tema Canoe Beach and management of Karpowership Ghana Limited have locked horns over the emissions from the power barge and its possible negative impact.
The power barge is located at the Tema Fishing Harbour.
Karpowership Ghana assured that, “We continuously and regularly monitor our emissions to ensure we adhere to all Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and international standards to which we are bound," but fisher folks do not seem to be convinced.
Consequently, the fisher folks have called on EPA, the Ministry of Health and other relevant stakeholders to research into the effect of inhaling smoke emanating from the power barge.
The Karpowership, which has an installed capacity of 235MW, started operation in Ghana in December 2015.
Since the commencement of its operations, the powership has been producing an average of 210MW of power to the national grid.
According to the fisher folks, even though operators of the Karpowership claim there are no health hazards associated with its operation, residents believe that every smoke emitted into the atmosphere has some implications on humans.
Nii Odametey II, Chief Fisherman for Tema Awudum, said that it would be difficult for residents and fisher folks to ascertain such effects without the needed medical research.
Nii Odametey added that despite the fact that they often see the smoke from the powership going up into the sky, they were aware that the smoke settled in the town and could pose some health problems to residents in future.
He also called for free health screening for residents of Tema Manhean at least twice a year, to ensure that they do not contract any respiratory and other health problems.
But Karpowership Ghana rejected claims that their barge poses possible health hazards to the Tema Newtown residents.
Miss Sandra Amarquaye, Corporate Communication Specialist for Karpowership Ghana, stated that "we strictly adhere to environmental standards and are committed to protecting the environment we operate in".
In a statement issued, she indicated that the carefully selected fuel type and the performance of its engines resulted in higher efficiency and minimal environmental impact.
The statement added, "We continuously and regularly monitor our emissions to ensure we adhere to all Environmental Protection Agency and international standards to which we are bound".
According to her, powerships are constructed and operated through environmentally and socially-friendly processes.
“As part of its environmental and social management policy, Karpowership has its own Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) designed to meet the requirements of IFC (international Finance Corporation) also covering requirements of ISO 14001,” she added.
Miss Amarquaye noted that Karpowership employs a dedicated design and engineering team consisting of experienced sector pioneers to ensure cutting-edge technological developments are incorporated into its powerships.
“As part of the environmental obligation, our environmental management process has consistently engaged our stakeholder groups in the community – the fishermen (Tema New Town Fishermen Association) and the fishmongers (Tema Manhean Fishmongers and Smokers Association).
“The purpose of such engagements is to inform them of Karpower’s operations and to learn their concerns. The issue of smoke pollution has not come up.
“As a socially responsible company committed to maintaining a harmonious relationship with the community, Karpowership will investigate the allegation as part of our grievance management mechanism,” she said.
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