Local governance expert Isaka Amo Kotei has raised serious concerns about Ghana’s worsening flooding and sanitation challenges, attributing the situation to poor waste management practices and the failure of authorities to prioritize effective sanitation systems.
Speaking to Citizen Kofi Owusu on Ahotor FM’s Adekyee Mu Nsem programme in Lashibi, Mr. Amo Kotei noted that although Accra has been divided into 29 municipalities under the local government system, many assemblies still lack adequate waste management infrastructure.
According to him, municipalities such as Kpone Katamanso, with populations exceeding 300,000 residents, do not have enough waste bins to serve their communities effectively. He explained that the shortage of waste bins forces residents to dispose of refuse in gutters and drains, contributing significantly to flooding during heavy rainfall.
Mr. Amo Kotei emphasized that drains are designed to carry water, not solid waste, and urged authorities to return to the fundamentals of sanitation management. He also questioned the NDC’s manifesto pledge to use technology to address sanitation challenges, asking what specific technological solutions have been introduced to improve waste collection and sanitation management across the country.
He argued that the effective application of modern technology would enable authorities to monitor waste disposal more efficiently, enhance refuse collection systems, and curb indiscriminate dumping in drains and waterways.
The local governance expert further criticized the persistent practice of burning waste at dumping sites nationwide, warning that it poses serious environmental and public health risks. According to him, smoke and residue from burning waste contribute to pollution and may exacerbate flooding-related challenges.
Mr. Amo Kotei therefore called for every municipality to establish and maintain a properly managed dumping site to improve waste collection and disposal. He urged authorities to immediately halt the burning of waste at dumping grounds and invest in modern waste management systems.
He also proposed the appointment of dedicated Waste Directors to oversee sanitation and waste management operations directly, rather than relying heavily on officials from the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO).
According to Mr. Amo Kotei, Ghana must begin treating sanitation as a national priority if it is to effectively tackle its recurring flooding problems.
Story by Stephen Kwaku Owusu Mintah
