The Sanitation Crisis in Sekondi-Takoradi: Taxes Are Collected, But Where Are the Results?

Cities often reveal the true priorities of their leaders more clearly than political speeches. Sekondi-Takoradi, proudly known as the Harbour City and Oil City, is a prime example of this contradiction. Despite its strategic importance to Ghana’s economy, with busy ports, oil fields, gold, cocoa, fisheries, and thriving markets, the twin city continues to struggle with worsening sanitation.

Recent remarks by the Western Regional Minister on waste management only echo what residents have observed for years. Walking through parts of the metropolis, especially around Market Circle and other commercial areas, one encounters piles of uncollected refuse, choked gutters filled with plastic waste, and foul odours from drains and dumping sites. In some market areas, the situation is particularly degrading, with young children forced to relieve themselves in the open near foodstuffs. These conditions are not only undignified but pose serious public health and food safety risks.

Yet residents diligently pay their tolls, levies, and taxes. The Western Region generates enormous national revenue, yet the question on many lips remains: where is the fair share of this wealth, and where are the visible results in improved living conditions?

If citizens are expected to meet their tax obligations, then the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly and the national government must deliver basic sanitation services. No serious commercial or industrial city can thrive when surrounded by filth, blocked drains, and poor urban management. As Ghana seeks to attract tourists and investors, Sekondi-Takoradi should be a flagship destination.

However, no visitor or investor wants to spend time in a city overwhelmed by refuse, congestion, and offensive smells. Good roads alone do not define a modern city - cleanliness and effective urban management are equally important.

The metropolitan authorities must act decisively. Priorities should include regular landscaping of public spaces, proper maintenance of streetlights, consistent waste collection, and stricter enforcement of sanitation by-laws. Authorities must also stop allowing traders, such as coconut sellers, to encroach on parking spaces and road shoulders, as this worsens congestion and littering.

Furthermore, the Assembly should present a strong proposal to government for modern mechanised equipment. Labour-intensive sweeping and occasional communal labour exercises are no longer sufficient. Acquiring mechanised street sweepers and specialised gutter-cleaning vehicles would allow the city to be cleaned more efficiently, reduce operational costs, improve hygiene, minimise flooding, and lower disease outbreaks.

Given the region’s significant contribution to national revenue from oil, gold, cocoa, and ports, such investments are both realistic and overdue.

Members of Parliament for the Sekondi-Takoradi area must rise above partisan politics to jointly advocate for urgent support and resources from Parliament and Government.

Sanitation is not merely about cleanliness. It is about dignity, good governance, public health, and respect for citizens. A city that contributes so much to the national economy should not be neglected in this basic area.

The people of Sekondi-Takoradi deserve a cleaner, greener, safer, and more dignified city. The time for collecting taxes daily while allowing filth to accumulate must end. Decisive action is long overdue.

By Seth K. Awuku
Principal & Founder, Sovereign Advisory Company Ltd, Takoradi, Ghana

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