(VIDEO) Ahmed Ibrahim: Local Assemblies Not Yet Ready to Manage Sanitation
Local Government Minister says MMDAs currently lack the capacity to independently oversee sanitation services nationwide.
- Minister questions assemblies' readiness.
- Capacity concerns raised over sanitation.
- Remarks made before Parliament committee.
Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, says Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) are currently not adequately equipped to take full responsibility for sanitation management across the country.
Appearing before Parliament’s Government Assurances Committee, the Minister said although several Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) had requested that sanitation management be transferred from private contractors to the assemblies, current conditions suggest the assemblies are not yet prepared to effectively handle the responsibility.
According to Mr. Ibrahim, visits to a number of assemblies, including those in Takoradi and other parts of the country, revealed significant operational challenges that could undermine effective sanitation management if the assemblies were given full control at this stage.
He cautioned that transferring sanitation management to the assemblies without adequate capacity and resources could worsen environmental sanitation and public health conditions.
The Minister made the remarks while responding to questions before Parliament’s Government Assurances Committee on government commitments relating to sanitation and local governance.
From Martin Kwabena Ahwireng Quaye
