Story by George Yawson VINEH
The Deputy Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, has underscored the Ghanaian government’s firm stance on environmental sanitation, urging event organisers and commercial operators to collaborate effectively with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in cleaning venues and surrounding areas after public events.
Speaking to journalists during activities marking National Sanitation Week, Ms. Sowah stressed that the ongoing nationwide sanitation push aligns with broader government directives to improve urban cleanliness and uphold environmental standards ahead of festive seasons and major public gatherings. The deputy minister reiterated that local assemblies are empowered to enforce sanitation laws and work with private event promoters to ensure clean surroundings after events.
“It is imperative that organisers of events — whether concerts, festivals, religious gatherings, or other large assemblies — partner with the relevant local assemblies in planning and executing cleanup operations immediately after their functions conclude,” Hon. Sowah stated, emphasising shared responsibility for national sanitation goals. She noted that the Ministry is focused on fostering cooperation rather than conflict, but would support assemblies in enforcing sanitation laws where necessary.
(This position reflects the government’s increased focus on sanitation accountability during National Sanitation Week.)
This call comes as part of a wider national effort, including the removal of billboards and signage on some major streets around the Korley Klottey Municipal Assembly and to intensified monitoring by local authorities across regions, aimed at making Ghana’s cities cleaner and safer for residents and visitors alike. Ms. Sowah highlighted that assemblies have the authority to act on non-compliance, and she appealed for proactive engagement from all stakeholders to meet cleanliness standards.
Local assemblies have been instructed to coordinate closely with event organisers from the planning stages to ensure that sanitation resources — such as waste collection and disposal services — are in place before and after events, reducing environmental impact and improving public health outcomes.
Government officials say that these sanitation directives are part of a sustained drive to instill environmental responsibility across public and private sectors and support Ghana’s broader sanitation agenda.