In Ghana, Minister Ayariga promises to pressure local authorities over sanitation
In Ghana, Minister for Local Government, Traditional and Religious Affairs Mahama Ayariga said he would pressure metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies to take full responsibility for sanitation in their jurisdictions. MyJoyOnline reports.
Powers of the assemblies
According to the minister, the 261 local assemblies already have the legal authority, funding sources and enforcement mechanisms needed to address sanitation problems. He stressed that the absence of a separate sanitation body cannot be an excuse for inaction.
The assemblies, he said, can hire workers for sanitation work, impose property maintenance and sanitation fees, and ensure compliance with local regulations. They can also use funds from the District Assemblies Common Fund and their own revenues.
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Minister's statement
Speaking on Citi FM on September 10, Ayariga said that local assemblies themselves must ensure cleanliness in the areas under their control, as there is no institutional vacuum in this field.
He also said that in some cases, assemblies had not functioned properly because no one had pushed them to carry out their duties. The minister promised to pressure them. At the same time, according to him, the Ghanaian government is ready to consider creating a separate sanitation body, but this should not relieve the assemblies of their existing powers.
