The Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Hon. Dr. Freda Prempeh, has issued a stern warning to Aboboyaa operators, cautioning them to exercise vigilance in their operations. She disclosed that the ministry is in the process of establishing a Sanitation Authority with the mandate to oversee and regulate sanitation service providers, both at the local and national levels.

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“The Authority will ensure that these tricycle operators and even the major service providers do the right thing at the right time,” she stated.She elaborated on the challenges posed by the absence of a regulatory body, which makes it difficult to take corrective measures when service providers deviate from established norms.Dr.

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Prempeh conveyed this information during a press briefing in Accra, where she responded to questions concerning law enforcement in addressing the nation's sanitation issues. The press conference also served as the announcement platform for a nationwide clean-up exercise scheduled for Saturday, September 30, 2023, under the theme "Cleaning for Safe, Healthy and Sustainable Ghana.

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" This initiative marks a significant step in the country's ongoing commitment to improving environmental sanitation services and raising awareness.In her address, the minister stressed the importance of all stakeholders, including the government, non-state actors, the media, and individuals, actively participating in planning and executing clean-up activities across the nation.

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The objective is to align with the government's vision of achieving a clean Ghana and ensuring sustainable Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) service delivery.To facilitate the cleanup campaign, the Ministry plans to conduct sensitization campaigns through traditional and social media channels and conduct thorough premises inspections by District Assemblies personnel, among other measures.Dr.

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Freda Prempeh also expressed concerns about the practices of tricycle operators providing sanitation services, highlighting that their actions pose significant obstacles to maintaining a clean environment. She observed that many of these operators, after collecting refuse from households and businesses, unlawfully dispose of it in gutters and other unauthorized locations rather than designated dumping

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sites.

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