Accra: Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has issued a stern warning to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), emphasizing that they must no longer attribute Ghana's sanitation challenges to the absence of a dedicated sanitation authority. Ayariga highlighted that the 261 MMDAs are already endowed with the legal authority, financial resources, and enforcement capabilities required to maintain cleanliness in their respective areas.
According to Ghana Web, Ayariga clarified that the assemblies possess the power to employ sanitation workers, impose property and sanitation rates, enforce bylaws, and utilize funds from the District Assemblies Common Fund as well as internally generated resources to address sanitation issues. During his appearance on Citi FM on Thursday, September 10, 2026, the Minister reiterated that MMDAs hold direct responsibility for sanitation management within their jurisdictions.
Ayariga stated, "You are the authority. You are managing this geographical space. And yours is to make sure that it is clean. There is no vacuum in terms of institutions." He expressed concern over the inaction of certain assemblies, despite having the necessary authority and resources at their disposal.
He emphasized that some assemblies have simply refused to fulfill their duties, often due to a lack of external pressure. "They have just refused to work, and they have refused to work in some instances because nobody is pushing them to work. And my job as minister is to push them to work. I will do that," Ayariga asserted.
The Minister pledged to exert pressure on the assemblies to take their sanitation responsibilities seriously, with the aim of ensuring that residents benefit from cleaner and healthier communities. While the government remains open to proposals for establishing a separate sanitation authority, Ayariga cautioned that such an entity should not serve as an excuse for MMDAs to neglect their existing legal obligations.