Accra: Mr Abdul Ruuf Tony Tubazu, Member of Parliament for Ayawaso Central, has urged citizens to promote environmental security by renewing their attitude towards the environment to prevent future disasters like those caused by recent heavy rains. The prolonged downpour resulted in widespread loss of lives and property, prompting the MP to advise residents against harmful practices such as dumping waste in drains, indiscriminate littering, and constructing buildings in waterways.
According to Ghana News Agency, during a refuse evacuation exercise at Alajo, a suburb of Accra in the Ayawaso Central Municipality, Mr Tubazu emphasized the importance of maintaining cleanliness beyond the national two-day cleanup exercise. He announced that the mop-up collection of leftover refuse would continue for a few more days to ensure thorough cleanliness. The MP was actively engaging residents in discussions about proper sanitation management and criticized those who dispose of waste indiscriminately at night.
Mr Tubazu acknowledged the complexity of waste collection due to residents taking advantage of the situation to dump various types of filth onto flood-related waste piles. However, he stated that these actions would be pardoned temporarily as it provided an opportunity for the government to clear the area of waste. Furthermore, he revealed plans to establish a taskforce, in partnership with the Assembly, to monitor and prevent illegal construction in waterways.
When questioned about the need for specific legislation to curb irresponsible environmental behaviors, Mr Tubazu asserted that existing laws are sufficient, but their enforcement requires strengthening. The Municipal Chief Executive for Ayawaso Central, Mr. Rudolf Collingwoode-Williams, echoed the MP's call for residents to adopt daily habits of environmental cleanliness to ensure communal environmental security.
Mr. Collingwoode-Williams highlighted the role of communal labor as an effective means to tackle environmental challenges, emphasizing that proper sanitation is a shared responsibility. Municipal Environmental Health Officer, Mr. Musa Abdul Samed, reiterated the importance of behavior change and sustained discipline for proper sanitation. He expressed concern over some community members' lack of cooperation during the cleanup exercise, stressing the need for increased education to instigate a change in attitude.
Mr. Samed warned that without proactive measures, the municipality could face outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and typhoid. He commended the MCE for effectively managing the situation and assured that the assembly, along with the environmental health office, has implemented measures to address any potential health crises. Given the municipality's severe impact from the recent rains, he noted that containment efforts would extend beyond the scheduled cleanup exercise.