The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Sanitation, Ahmed Ibrahim, has announced plans to introduce a dedicated sanitation levy to address the country’s pressing sanitation issues. The proposed levy aims to generate funds for improving waste management, enhancing public hygiene, and supporting long-term sanitation projects.
Speaking at a national sanitation forum in Accra, Hon. Ibrahim stressed the need for collective efforts to combat the nation’s sanitation problems. He expressed confidence that the proposed levy would play a crucial role in achieving this goal.
The sanitation sector has recently been brought under Hon. Ibrahim’s ministry, and he acknowledged the severity of sanitation-related issues in Ghana. The country struggles with inefficient waste management, indiscriminate littering, poor drainage systems, and inadequate funding for sanitation initiatives.
Major cities like Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi frequently experience issues related to improper waste disposal, contributing to environmental pollution and public health risks. The proposed sanitation levy is expected to be discussed in Parliament after the current adjournment.
He explained that the levy would be used to establish a sanitation fund, which would provide a stable financial resource for sanitation projects. He noted that the levy is long overdue and would be a crucial step towards addressing Ghana’s sanitation challenges.
