A local governance expert and political analyst, Issaka Amon Kotei, has called on the government to establish dedicated Waste Management Departments in all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to effectively address Ghana’s growing sanitation challenges.
Speaking on Adekyee Mu Nsem, the morning show on Ahotor FM 92.3, hosted by Solomon Asiedu in Accra, Mr. Kotei argued that relying solely on sanitation officers to oversee sanitation issues is inadequate. He stressed the need to redefine and strengthen the role of Waste Management Departments so they can take full responsibility for sanitation management across the country.
According to him, the government should adopt a more comprehensive and effective sanitation strategy that actively involves residents in implementing sanitation policies within their respective assemblies.
Mr. Kotei further emphasized the need for government technocrats to adopt best practices by ensuring that waste collection points and public dustbins are accessible to all citizens. He noted that improving access to waste disposal facilities would discourage indiscriminate dumping of refuse and help maintain cleaner communities.
He also urged the government to revisit its manifesto commitments on sanitation and introduce a practical programme that could initially be piloted in four regions. The programme, he suggested, should focus on the strategic placement of waste collection points and dustbins, while improving the operations of private waste collection companies. He observed that delays in waste collection, which sometimes last for days or even months, often result in large heaps of uncollected garbage across the country.
Mr. Kotei further identified the contractual relationship between assemblies and private sanitation companies as another major challenge. According to him, delays in payments to contractors due to financial constraints affect service delivery. As a result, waste remains uncollected for extended periods, creating unsanitary conditions and posing serious public health risks.
Vice President Calls for Responsible Sanitation Practices
In a related development, Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has urged Ghanaians to adopt responsible sanitation practices, warning that indiscriminate waste disposal is contributing significantly to flooding and placing communities at risk.
Speaking during a community clean-up exercise in the Nungua area as part of the ongoing National Clean-up Exercise, the Vice President said many of the environmental challenges confronting the country are caused by human activities rather than natural factors alone.
“We are here because something has gone wrong,” she told journalists. “A lot of it is something that you and I have caused. We know that nature will do its own thing, but sometimes we also contribute negatively to the outcomes.”
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang explained that dumping refuse into drains obstructs the natural flow of water, increasing the likelihood of flooding that often affects innocent people.
“There are times when even the person who suffers may not necessarily have been the one who caused the damage. When we throw garbage into our drains, maybe that is the reason why somebody’s house is finally flooded because we are blocking the water from taking its natural course,” she said.
She noted that the clean-up exercise should remind citizens that preventing floods begins with individual responsibility and proper sanitation practices.
“We all know the right things. We don’t need any sermon. We know. Let’s do the right things and protect each other and protect our country,” she added.
The Vice President also thanked residents and volunteers who participated in the exercise, describing their involvement as a strong demonstration of community spirit.
“I want to thank you all for coming out to help because there’s a time we should all show love,” she said.