Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA), has expressed satisfaction with the success of the recent city-wide sanitation exercise, describing it as a strong indication of renewed commitment to keeping Accra clean.
Speaking at the maiden National Sanitation Day clean-up exercise, following the relaunch of the “Clean Up Ghana” campaign, Mr. Ibrahim said participation was impressive despite the enormous task ahead.
In attendance was the sector minister, together with the deputy minister, the Ga Mantse, the Accra Mayor, directors from the Ministry, Municipal Chief Executive for Korle Klottey Municipality, the media, and other relevant agencies and individuals who came to support this maiden national exercise.
The delegation led by the Ga Mantse and the Minister, commenced its inspection tour from the corridors of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, proceeding through the principal streets of Tudu to the Agbogbloshie Market, then to Abossey Okai, and continued along the main routes to the Kwame Nkrumah Circle.
“The program was very successful because participation was high. The filth was too much because, for a long period, this exercise had not been going on. There are no sweepers in the city, and the gutters had not been desilted”
“Today being the first day, I expected it to be hectic, but God being so good, it has been very successful,” Mr. Ibrahim said.
The Minister noted that the exercise also exposed several structural and logistical gaps in the city’s sanitation management system.
He highlighted the absence of essential tools such as dustbins, compactors, and containers, which hindered effective waste collection.
He pledged to ensure that Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) received the needed support to acquire more compactors to enhance sanitation management.
The Minister further suggested that assemblies in urban areas be granted waivers to redirect funds meant for rural infrastructure towards sanitation logistics.
“In the cities, the main headache is not chipping compounds but sanitation. We must make sure we give them the flexibility to use some funds to procure compactors to help fix the situation,” he added.
Mr. Ibrahim also commended the Ga Mantse for personally joining the clean-up, describing it as a demonstration of leadership and patriotism.
“Walking this long distance at his age tells you he’s committed to the cause of fighting sanitation,” the Minister said.
He, however, identified inadequate street lighting as another major challenge affecting nighttime cleaning in the capital, stating that “cleaning is done at dawn and night all over the world,” but darkness in parts of Accra impedes this practice.
Mr. Ibrahim revealed that the Ministries of Energy, Local Government, and Roads were collaborating to fix streetlights and complete major road projects across the 16 regional capitals to enable regular nighttime cleaning.
He disclosed that President Mahama’s vision to establish modern 24-hour economy markets across the country was progressing steadily, with all 261 MMDCEs been directed to acquire land for the projects, though Accra faced difficulties due to limited available land.
“As I speak, only six MMDAs in Accra have been able to acquire land for the 24-hour economy markets. But in other regions, almost all have submitted their land documents,” he said.
Mr. Ibrahim called on traditional authorities, particularly the Ga Mantse, to collaborate with Accra’s assemblies to secure land for the initiative.
He also announced plans for joint development projects, where two or more assemblies without adequate land would combine resources to develop shared market facilities.
The Minister reiterated his commitment to continuous sanitation improvement, urging the Mayor of Accra and the MCE for Korle Klottey not to relent in their efforts in their supervision to making Accra a clean city.
His Royal Majesty (HRM) King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, the Ga Mantse, commended all dignitaries and the public for their collective efforts in the city-wide clean up exercise.
He reiterated that cleanliness was a shared responsibility, emphasizing the need for collective commitment to maintain sanitation in the capital.
The Ga Mantse underscored that the campaign for a cleaner city must begin with a change in mindset, indicating that “the fight for a cleaner Accra begins with your mindset. You can’t keep doing things the same way and expect a different outcome. Things must change.”
He said discussions were underway with the Minister and the Mayor of Accra on the development of a comprehensive master plan for the city.
The Ga Mantse said the plan aims to rebrand and redesign the central business district to promote sustainable trade and employment while addressing congestion and street vending challenges.
He highlighted the growing concern of single-use plastics in the capital and called for effective management strategies to address the issue.
GNA
