Accra: The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA) is set to intensify sanitation enforcement nationwide through house-to-house inspections. During the inspection, homes which fall short of basic cleanliness standards would face spot fines in line with existing local by-laws. The move forms part of the government's renewed drive to sustain the National Sanitation Day initiative and achieve the President's vision of a cleaner Ghana.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Michael Forson, Technical Advisor for Sanitation at the MLGCRA, highlighted that the political direction from the President had given the sanitation agenda fresh urgency. Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim, the sector minister, has provided strong leadership since the programme's inception, mobilising national forces and setting a strong example for all stakeholders to follow. Forson emphasized that the Minister took personal ownership of the agenda and ensured that forces were mobilized at the national level.
As the Ministry began monitoring the exercise this year, comparisons were made with last year's activities through the Christmas period and beyond. While some improvements were noted, a few assemblies showed lapses, which the Ministry addressed by alerting the affected Mayors, Chief Executives, and Environmental Health Officers to sustain the momentum. Mr. Forson revealed that the Sector Minister would soon introduce a performance scorecard for Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), with sanitation expected to be a key assessment area.
Despite identified lapses, voluntary groups have been joining clean-up campaigns in large numbers, a positive shift that is being replicated across several municipalities. In Ablekuma North Municipality, community members were actively engaged in the exercise. In Okaikwei North Municipality, hawkers were seen cleaning overhead structures, expressing satisfaction with working in a clean environment. Mr. Forson indicated that the various assemblies had the relevant materials needed to execute the national sanitation exercise effectively and that additional tools and materials would soon be distributed to all MMDAs in the Greater Accra Region.
He stressed that strengthened monitoring, enforcement of spot fines, improved accountability through performance scoring, and rising community participation would sustain the sanitation drive and accelerate Ghana's progress towards a cleaner, safer, and healthier environment. In Ablekuma West Municipality, officials from the Assembly mobilized members to embark on the national exercise, aiming for a cleaner Ghana for all.
Ms. Mabel Frimpong, Municipal Environmental Health Officer at Ablekuma West Municipal Assembly, stated that the Assembly, through its Environmental Health Unit and other departments, regularly sensitizes the public using mobile vans and community public address systems. She noted that sanitation is a shared responsibility, but many residents continue to shift the burden to the Assembly, undermining progress. The Assembly has stepped up enforcement by issuing letters to institutions and residents outlining expectations, particularly concerning the 'Operation Clean Your Frontage' policy. Ms. Frimpong urged residents to maintain community cleanliness by reporting individuals who dump refuse illegally, encouraging the public to take photographs of offenders and report them for enforcement action.