Enforce sanitation laws to accelerate the gains of sensitisation campaigns

District, Municipal and Metropolitan Assemblies have been challenged to enforce sanitation laws in their areas of jurisdiction but not wait for the central government’s directive before they do so. Wonderful Baisie Ghartey, the Chief Executive Officer of SHAPE Attitude Ghana, made this call at a stakeholders’ meeting organised by Pleasant Supplies, manufacturers of  “ezy” car bin, to introduce the bins to members of  Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) of Winneba on 19 August 2018. Mr. Ghartey said without enforcement of the laws on sanitation, it would be difficult to overcome the poor sanitary conditions in the country. He spoke strongly against the practice where some assemblymen, local authorities, pastors and other influential people intervened to prevent sanitation laws from taking its due course. He further encouraged community members to speak out against unsanitary practices and not condone it.

Mr. Kenneth Acquaah of Pleasant Supplies, reiterated the fact that environmental sanitation relied more on behavior and attitudes and that the car bin alone would not be enough to achieve a sustainable environmental sanitation practices. He, therefore, reminded all stakeholders to support and promote the car bin and sustainable sanitation practices in the communities.

The Public Relations Officer of the Environmental Health and Sanitation Department of the Effutu Municipal Assembly, Mr. Mac Dzordzordzi, expressed the Assembly’s commitment in achieving its sanitation objectives. He said the Municipal Chief Executive had adopted Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) as part of its objectives to be achieved by the second quarter of 2019.

Mr. Dzordzordzi acknowledged the contribution of SHAPE Attitude Ghana in the municipality. He enumerated the various activities, stakeholder collaboration, community and school sensitisation the Organisation was engaged in to help achieve a litter free zone in the municipality. He also mentioned the contribution of the car bin to help keep vehicles and the environment clean.  

Mr. Dzordzordzi stated that plans were underway to collaborate with the regional offices of the Ghana Education Service (GES) to include sanitation education at basic school level.

The secretary of GPRTU main office, Mr. F. K. Anafi Owusu, introduced the car bin to the GPRTU members and where they can be readily accessed. Mr. Anafi Owusu advised that we should approach sanitation issues dispassionately devoid of politics to help achieve sustainable results. 

Present at the meeting were Mr. Emmanuel Esilfie, the first trustee of GPRTU Winneba main office, Madam Kate Akuamoah, Revenue Officer of the Effutu Municipal Assembly, Mr. Antwi-Boasiako Takyi, first trustee of GPRTU Taxi Branch, Winneba, Neenyi Budu, representative from the Effutu Traditional Council. They all expressed concern on the poor sanitary conditions and proposed solutions such as public education, enforcement of sanitation laws and provision of bins at vantage points in town.

Also present were Nana Kojo Oppong Isaiah, the Public Relations Officer of the Municipal Assembly and Mr. Andrews Ankamah, the Presiding Member. Nana Oppong raised the interference by some community members when appropriate regulations were being enforced as a challenge faced by the Municipal Assembly and said that they will not be deterred by it. Mr. Ankama added his voice to the general poor sanitation at the lorry station and cited several instances of negative practices by some shop owners, drivers, passengers and the general public. Mr. Ankama assured the stakeholders of his support in promoting litter free zone in the municipality starting from lorry stations. He asked that measures should be introduced to prevent indiscriminate littering at the lorry station especially, at night.

Mr. Kenneth Acquaah (right) and Wonderful Baisie Ghartey (left) at the meeting.

A section of the stakeholders present at the meeting