Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Dr. Freda Akosua Prempeh, has called upon metropolitan, municipal, and district assemblies (MMDAs) to strengthen their local regulations in a way that allows them to levy fines on waste management companies for delayed garbage collection within their areas.

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This, she emphasized, would encourage waste management companies to be more responsible and proactive in addressing the prevalent garbage issues in many Ghanaian communities.Dr. Prempeh presented this proposal during a news briefing organized by the Ministry of Information in Accra. The briefing centered on the theme "Cleaning for Safe, Healthy, and Sustainable Ghana" ahead of 'World Clean-Up Day' on September 30, 2023.

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The upcoming day will involve nationwide cleaning efforts, including cleaning frontages and clearing blocked drains from 06:00 to 10:00.The minister urged the Assemblies to ensure the closure of all shops during the cleanup period to maximize participation. She encouraged educational institutions, churches, fitness clubs, civil society organizations, and assemblies to join in the cleanup to ensure its success.

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Regarding the indiscriminate dumping of garbage by some tricycle operators responsible for household waste collection, Dr. Prempeh hinted at the establishment of a Sanitation Authority to regulate waste dumping.She also revealed plans for the Ministry to launch a comprehensive behavioral change campaign called "Sesa W) Su Ban," which translates to 'change your behavior.

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' This campaign aims to cultivate public awareness and commitment to environmental cleanliness.To achieve the government's vision of a clean Ghana and sustainable WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) service delivery, the minister stressed the importance of active engagement from all stakeholders.

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The Ministry's role is to develop policies that enhance WASH service delivery in the country, while the Assemblies are mandated to provide water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities and services and enforce sanitation bylaws within their respective jurisdictions.

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“Households, on the other part, are expected to make the waste available for collection and disposal and keep hygienic surroundings as well as pay the requisite fees for the services being provided by the MMDAs,” Dr Prempeh emphasised.

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She stated that the government since 2017 had invested in water and sanitation facilities, with the huge investment increasing the population with access to basic drinking water services from 79% in 2017/2018 to 87.7% in 2021.The population with access to exclusive household toilet facilities increased from 21% in 2017/2018 to 25.3% in 2021, the minister added.

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In addition, the proportion of water bodies with good Ambient Water Quality increased from 51.5 in 2017 to 58.2 in 2021, Dr Prempeh stated.The proportion of solid waste properly disposed of in five major towns/cities, increased from 70% in 2017 to 85% in 2021, the minister stated.

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The Government, she said, recognised the importance of water and sanitation sectors and had placed premium on enhancing the delivery of water and sanitation services to the citizenry.Ghana was the first country to sign the Sanitation and Water for All Compact, which made it possible to prioritize WASH services delivery through deliberate and focused committed programmes, with clearly defined plans for funding.

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As a result, Ghana was able to attain the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on Water, five clear years before the deadline, the minister added.

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