Accra: The Media Coalition Against Open Defecation (M-CODE) has issued a call for increased public education on sanitation to foster behavioral change and aid in the development of cleaner communities throughout Ghana. The Coalition also urged Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to show more dedication to sanitation by implementing proactive waste management systems, regularly dredging drains, ensuring efficient waste collection and disposal, and strictly enforcing sanitation by-laws.
According to Ghana News Agency, this appeal was made during a radio sensitization program that was part of an advocacy campaign aimed at making sanitation a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for Assemblies. The program was supported by World Vision Ghana and featured contributions from key figures such as Madam Maribel Akuorkor Okine, the Western Regional Director for Gender, Mr. Oliver Cromwell, a public health consultant, and Mr. Emmanuel Opoku, Western Regional Correspondent for the Daily Guide newspaper. The participants highlighted the importance of prioritizing sanitation in local governance and development planning.
Mr. Cromwell pointed out that effective sanitation programs could significantly reduce Out-Patient Department attendance related to sanitation-related diseases and alleviate the financial burden on families. He urged Assemblies to be proactive and intentionally allocate resources to improve environmental cleanliness within their areas. Mr. Cromwell emphasized that investments in sanitation are investments in public health, productivity, and economic development.
Madam Okine stressed the necessity of inclusive planning that adequately addresses the sanitation needs of both women and men. She advocated for continuous community education on sanitation issues to maintain positive behavioral change, stating, 'If we all begin to do our part, we may not need an increased budget but commitment to right behaviors.'
Mr. Opoku noted that budgetary constraints should not be an excuse for poor sanitation outcomes and cleaner cities. He emphasized the importance of a strong sense of civic responsibility and communal spirit among citizens to maintain a clean environment. He reminded schools, traditional authorities, and families of their critical role in shaping positive attitudes among children towards waste handling and environmental stewardship.
Mrs. Mildred Siabi-Mensah, Western Regional Convenor of M-CODE, expressed gratitude to World Vision Ghana and the Coalition's National Office, led by Mr. Francis Ameyibor, for their support of the initiative. She stated that the campaign aims to drive attitudinal change among citizens and encourage Assemblies to prioritize sanitation in their planning, budgeting, and development programs.