Parliamentary Committee Calls for Dedicated Sanitation Fund to Address Waste Management Crisis

The Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Sanitation and Water Resources, Hon. John Oti Bless, has called for the establishment of a dedicated source of funding to effectively tackle Ghana’s persistent sanitation challenges.

Speaking during a tour of the Accra Compost and Recycling Plant (ACARP) at Adjen-Kotoku on April 23, 2025, Mr. Oti Bless emphasized that sanitation is a daily necessity, and without consistent funding, progress will remain stagnant.

“As a committee, we are pushing for a dedicated sanitation fund,” he said. “If 40 pesewas is collected through a levy, then at least 20 pesewas should be allocated to sanitation, with the other half going to energy. That’s how we’ll drive real, lasting change.”

His comments came in response to public concern over the gap between sanitation levy collections and the actual improvements on the ground. He argued that consistent and timely payments to sanitation service providers would allow for greater accountability and performance tracking.

“How can a company like Zoomlion be expected to function effectively when it hasn’t been paid by the government for services rendered over the past two years?” he questioned. “Fortunately, the Finance Minister has promised to clear these arrears, including those owed to Zoomlion, from the GHS 13 billion budgeted for this purpose. We trust that commitment will be fulfilled.”

Hon. Oti Bless, who also serves as MP for Nkwanta North in the Oti Region, assured Ghanaians that the committee is determined to take the necessary steps for meaningful progress. He emphasized their collaboration with the media and urged the public to support nationwide awareness campaigns.

“We won’t rest until we see visible improvement in sanitation across the country,” he stated. “Every district assembly has until December to address key issues, especially those concerning Youth Employment Agency (YEA) workers.”

During the committee’s recent field visit, several YEA workers voiced concerns about their low allowances. In response, Mr. Oti Bless said the YEA CEO has been invited to appear before the committee to discuss a possible review of their remuneration.

“These workers have been underpaid for years. It’s time we address that and provide better motivation,” he noted.

Another major concern raised was public behavior. Mr. Oti Bless stressed the need for media involvement in promoting behavioral change and public education, while also highlighting the issue of unenforceable local bye-laws.

“Many of these bye-laws haven’t been gazetted, so they can’t be enforced,” he explained. “We’ll work with the Minister for Local Government to correct this. Look at Rwanda—clean and orderly—because their laws are in force and taken seriously.”

Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies, echoed the committee’s concerns and appealed for stronger support for sanitation enforcement. He advocated for strict prosecution of offenders as a deterrent to indiscriminate waste dumping.

“Our role goes beyond cleaning,” Dr. Agyepong said. “We are fighting diseases like cholera, supporting public health, and even contributing to tourism and environmental development.”

He stressed the importance of a clean environment in improving overall quality of life and expressed frustration over limited incentives and high taxes on essential sanitation equipment.

“We’re negotiating tax reliefs for some of our key equipment, and we hope the committee can support us,” he appealed. “With the right backing, Zoomlion can do even more for Ghana.”

Dr. Agyepong concluded by reaffirming his company’s commitment to Ghana’s environmental health and urged lawmakers to continue supporting the sanitation sector: “Together, we can make a far-reaching impact on this nation’s future.”