Gov’t remains committed to solve sanitation problem - Local Government Minister

The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim, has revealed that the journey toward sustainable solid waste management is undoubtedly a long one, but it is a journey that becomes achievable when all stakeholders move in the same direction with a shared sense of purpose.

“I wish to assure all service providers and stakeholders that government remains committed to constructive engagement, policy support and collaborative problem-solving.

“We have heard clearly service providers especially the Environmental Service Providers Association (ESPA) concerns on delayed payments, and it is receiving the needed attention,” Mr Ibrahim stated at a high-level stakeholder dialogue on landfill and waste management in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area.

“Your investments are valued. Your contributions to national development are recognised. Most importantly, your partnership remains critical to the future success of Ghana’s sanitation agenda.

“With goodwill, innovation, mutual trust and sustained commitment, there is every reason to believe that Greater Accra can become a model for integrated and sustainable waste management not only within Ghana but across the African region,” Mr Ibrahim asserted.

The dialogue held on Monday was on the theme “Strengthening Final Disposal Site Operations and Sustainable Solid Waste Management Infrastructure in the Greater Accra Region" and was organized by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs in collaboration with the Jospong Group of Companies.

It was attended by representatives of 26 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDA) in the region; government officials; Environmental Service Providers Association (ESPA) members; chief executives; and representatives of waste management companies, waste landfills, Borla taxis, and tricycle associations.

It also included officials of the environmental protection authority and Ministry of Finance; NGOs, volunteer groups, and community-based organizations; sanitation experts; private sector operators; and stakeholders in the sector.

The Minister expressed optimism that the GAMA sanitation dialogue would lead to the development of practical recommendations, bold ideas and actionable solutions that will help address the longstanding challenges confronting final disposal site operations and sustainable solid waste management infrastructure in the Greater Accra Metro Area.

He emphasized that the ministry would study the outcome of the GAMA Sanitation Dialogue, adding, "What happens after dialogue will be even more important than what is said during.

“Success of this dialogue will definitely be measured by the actions implemented, the partnerships strengthened, the infrastructure developed and the improvements experienced by residents across the Greater Accra Metro Area.”

He also reiterated a call to the Regional Coordinating Council and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) across the country to prioritize resourcing environmental health officers with the tools and logistics needed to perform their duties effectively.

Mr. Ibrahim indicated that the work of environmental health officers is “critical to the progress of the assemblies” and central to improving public health and urban cleanliness.

“Their work hinges on the core of the community,” the Minister said. “Environmental health officers are on the frontlines of sanitation, disease prevention, and community education. Without their work, the assemblies cannot make meaningful progress.”

The Local Government Minister urged MMDCEs to act swiftly to address the gaps identified by the environmental health officer, specifically calling for the provision of means of transportation, protective equipment, and other operational logistics.

“We cannot expect officers to inspect facilities, monitor waste disposal, and engage communities on foot in this era. The assemblies must equip them properly. It is not a favour, it is an investment in the health of our people,” he stressed.

Mr. Ibrahim said the Ministry will monitor how assemblies respond to the directive and will factor logistical support for environmental health officers into future assessments of assembly performance.

Environmental health officers play a central role in inspecting food vendors; monitoring liquid and solid waste disposal and fumigation exercises, and educating households on hygiene.

Their ability to reach communities quickly is seen as key to preventing cholera, typhoid, and other preventable diseases.

Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, President of ESPA, explained that the association performs a critical advocacy role in the country, focusing on improving environmental sanitation and waste management through collaboration with private and public sectors.

He said the association with over 40 members, was established in 2001 as a company limited by guarantee to serve as an advocacy organization for environmental service providers in Ghana, particularly in the waste management sector.

Dr. Siaw Agyepong, who is the Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies, noted that ESPA aims to enhance the delivery of solid and liquid waste management services in collaboration with MMDAs.

The Jospong Group Executive Chairman stressed that ESPA also plays a crucial role in driving investment and innovation in the waste management sector, contributing to sustainable environmental practices in Ghana.

Mr. Amin Abdul-Rahaman, MLGCRA Chief Director, in a welcome address, emphasized that dialogue gives opportunity for stakeholders to listen to one another.

“Every institution represented here sees the sector from a different perspective. Some deal with policy, some with regulation, some with financing, some with operations, and some with service delivery at the community level. Bringing these experiences together enriches our understanding and strengthens our partnerships,” he said.

The participants discussed various issues, including current landfill capacity and operational challenges; outstanding sector obligations and financing issues; immediate interventions ahead of the rainy season; environmental compliance and sustainability measures; long-term infrastructure planning and investment requirements; and resource recovery and waste diversion opportunities.

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