Dr. Freda Prempeh, the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, has called upon district assemblies in Ghana to take legal action against residents who violate environmental sanitation bylaws as a deterrent to others.
The minister emphasized that such actions were necessary to safeguard public health and prevent avoidable diseases.
Dr. Prempeh made these remarks during her tour of the Korley Klottey Municipality as part of the National Cleanup Exercise, which coincided with World Cleanup Day.
The cleanup exercise, conducted under the theme “Cleaning for Safe, Healthy, and Sustainable Ghana,” witnessed the active participation of various groups, including drivers, market women, traders, and community members.
She stressed that it was essential for assembly members, churches, market women, and community leaders to encourage residents to prioritize environmental sanitation within their communities.
Dr. Prempeh underscored the need for collective efforts to complement the government's initiatives in solid waste management and to maintain cleanliness in Accra.
The minister expressed concern over the low sense of communal responsibility among Ghanaians, which she believed hindered development.
Dr Prempeh also visited flood-prone areas in the Ablekuma West constituency, including Dansoman, Mpoase, Mamponse, and Glefe, to assess the extent of damage caused by recent heavy rains.
She highlighted the issues of illegal construction in waterways and unauthorized waste dumping as contributing factors to health challenges faced by residents.
In particular, Dr Prempeh identified tricycle waste collectors as a significant part of the problem and called on the assemblies to take action against offenders. She also urged assemblies to address the issue of refuse burning during the night in unauthorized areas.
Mr. Samuel Tete, the Ablekuma West Municipal Environmental Health Officer, who accompanied the Minister during the tour, emphasized the importance of changing attitudes and complying with government policies on sanitation.
He revealed that the Assembly had plans to clear piled-up refuse dumps in Mpoase/Glefe and transform the area into either a recreational centre or a market for the community's benefit.
Mr. Tete advised the public to refrain from littering the streets with refuse to maintain a clean and healthy environment.
By Samuel Dodoo; Editing by Dennis Gyamfi