Finance

Steel workers demand shutdown of Rider Steel and United Steel over air pollution

Some steel factory workers within the Free Zone enclave in Tema are asking the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, to shut down two other steel companies, Rider Steel and United Steel, for polluting the environment.

The workers, who embarked on a peaceful demonstration at the Free Zones enclave, allege that one of their colleagues died due to the toxic smoke emitted by the companies.

The workers say they’re dying slowly from poisonous fumes emitted by the two companies.

According to them, the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, has not been successful in their attempts to shut down the companies.

They claim the toxic smoke released by the two steel factories, Ryder Steel and United Steel Companies, is not only polluting the atmosphere, but also threatens their health.

According to them, they literally spend all their salaries on treating smoke-related ailments.

“We have been suffocating. They have been suffocating us out of the toxic emissions from the smoke. We have done all we need to but still nothing has been done about it. So we are still fighting for the right thing to be done to save us from this pollution” one worker said.

Another worker said, “one of our staff died out of this smoke issue and the rest have been visiting the hospital regularly. We have kept on using the same salary in treating ourselves, and it has gotten to the point that we can’t even afford it”.

These protesters, who are workers of other steel companies within the Free Zones Enclave, say they usually wear nose masks to be able to go about their duties due to the toxic smoke.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, chimneys that release thick smoke are supposed to be 60 meters above ground level.

However, these two steel companies have their chimneys only 30 meters above the ground, causing severe air pollution.

These workers simply want government to shut down the two companies as their actions also constitute a violation of Ghana’s environmental laws.

While officials of the two companies are yet to comment about the complaints, it appears that beyond issuing directives that have not been adhered to, the Environmental Protection Agency cannot do much, considering that this is the second protest by these workers.

 

Source: www.citibusinessnews.com

Ogyem Solomon

Solomon Ogyem – Media Entrepreneur | Journalist | Brand Ambassador Solomon Ogyem is a dynamic Ghanaian journalist and media entrepreneur currently based in South Africa. With a solid foundation in journalism, Solomon is a graduate of the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication Studies in Ghana and Oxbridge Academy in South Africa. He began his career as a reporter at OTEC 102.9 MHz in Kumasi, where he honed his skills in news reporting, community storytelling, and radio broadcasting. His passion for storytelling and dedication to the media industry led him to establish Press MltiMedia Company in South Africa—a growing platform committed to authentic African narratives and multimedia journalism. Solomon is the founder and owner of Thepressradio.com, a news portal focused on delivering credible, timely, and engaging stories across Ghana and Africa. He also owns Press Global Tickets, a service-driven venture in the travel and logistics space, providing reliable ticketing services. In addition to his media ventures, Solomon serves as a Brand Ambassador for Alabuga, a prominent Russian industrial company, representing their interests and expansion across Africa. He previously owned two notable websites—Ghanaweb.mobi and ShowbizAfrica.net—both of which contributed to entertainment and socio-political discussions within Ghana’s digital space. With a diverse background in media, digital journalism, and business, Solomon Ogyem is dedicated to telling impactful African stories, empowering youth through media, and building cross-continental media partnerships.

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