Salaga South MP Calls for Systemic, Citizen-Led Action to Improve Environmental Sanitation

The Member of Parliament for the Salaga South Constituency, Hon. Zuwera Mohammed Ibrahimiah, has stressed the need for adequate financial resources and strong systems to ensure effective environmental sanitation across the country.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Hon. Ibrahimiah said that engagements with stakeholders—including government agencies and private actors involved in sanitation efforts—have revealed a consistent challenge: the lack of financial resources to enable them to operate effectively.

She noted that while it is easy to reference best practices from other countries, including Rwanda, what truly stands out in those countries is that their systems work and clearly define the roles of all actors. She explained that beyond discussions about recruiting and posting environmental sanitation workers, Ghanaians must also reflect on their individual responsibilities as citizens.

Hon. Ibrahimiah emphasized that creating a clean environment should begin with Members of Parliament themselves. She cited simple acts such as keeping empty plastic bottles in bags after use and refusing to litter, adding that everyone has a duty to set an example. Referring to Rwanda, she said that people do not litter, even without police enforcement, because of the right attitude and effective systems. She further highlighted that reliable household data is crucial to maintaining a clean environment.

She added that in Rwanda, sanitation systems capture everyone, and citizens pay regularly for environmental cleaning services. In contrast, she lamented that Ghana lacks accurate data to enable structured monthly payments, such as through mobile money. Instead, households rely on informal waste collectors (“aboboyaa”) who operate without consistent pricing, which she described as a major weakness in Ghana’s sanitation management.

The Salaga South MP stressed that it is time to “hold the bull by the horns” and take bold and decisive action to address sanitation challenges. She cited Rwanda’s efforts to protect its portion of a shared lake with the Democratic Republic of Congo, where permanent patrols are maintained to prevent pollution, despite the high cost involved. According to her, such measures demonstrate a system that is responsive to the needs and well-being of its citizens.