By Amoako Kwame
The Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Sanitation Committee, Ralph Poku-Adusei, has criticised the government over Ghana’s deteriorating sanitation conditions, accusing it of failing to provide the resources needed to ensure effective waste management across the country.
According to the Bekwai Member of Parliament, the government has not lived up to its responsibility under Ghana’s Environmental Sanitation Policy, which places the ultimate responsibility for sanitation on the state.
Speaking on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News on Tuesday, July 7, Mr. Poku-Adusei said inspections and oversight visits by the committee to several sanitation facilities revealed deeply troubling conditions.
“I must admit that over the past year and a half that we’ve been in Parliament, the report, our observations, our visit to several sites when it comes to sanitation and other related sanitation matters is not the best. It’s appalling,” he said.
He stressed that while private companies play an important role in waste collection and disposal, the responsibility for ensuring a functional sanitation system rests with the government.
“It is important to note that pursuant to what we refer to as the Ghana Environmental Sanitation Policy, ultimately it is the government that is responsible for sanitation in this country,” he stated.
Mr. Poku-Adusei argued that the government lacks the logistics, infrastructure and workforce required to effectively manage waste nationwide.
“The government is failing on that responsibility. That is why we are where we are today,” he added.
The lawmaker also criticised the government’s relationship with the Environmental Service Providers Association (ESPA), contending that delayed payments and inadequate funding have weakened the operational capacity of waste management companies.
He warned that Accra’s growing sanitation problems require urgent national attention, citing the volume of waste generated daily and the associated public health risks.
Mr. Poku-Adusei further took aim at the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo, accusing her of not taking sufficient action to address the capital’s sanitation challenges.
“The Greater Accra Regional Minister, simply put, because we have a crisis situation, is sleeping on her job,” he alleged.
Describing the situation as a national security concern, he noted that Accra produces more than 4,000 tonnes of waste every day.
“This is the metropolis. This is the capital city of Ghana. Look at the amount of waste being generated per day. This should be considered as a serious issue for the government,” he said.
He called on the government to prioritise sanitation by investing in waste management infrastructure, improving funding for service providers and strengthening the capacity of institutions responsible for keeping the country’s communities clean.
