Attitudinal Change Is Key To Keep Ghana Clean- Sanitation Minister Designate

The Minister-Designate for Sanitation and Water Resources, Lydia Seyram Alhassan has identified behavourial change in the conduct of citizens as a necessary factor to help clean Accra and the rest of the country.

Responding to questions on the sanitation situation in the country when she appeared before parliaments appointment committee on Tuesday Marxh 5, 2024, Madam Lydia Ahassan expressed belive in the fact that, a change in attitude of residents in the capital Accra and other parts of the country is crucial in ensuring a cleaner environment rather than focusing on the president’s promise of making Accra the cleanest city in Africa.

The Ayawaso West Wuogon lawmaker said a change in behaviour is needed to maximise the gains from investments made in sanitation infrastructure of the country.

“I will say that it is not really about the president, it is about us, it is about Ghanaians, our attitude towards cleaning Accra. Provisions have been made, all the infrastructure, investments have been provided and what we have is attitudinal.

“The persons to ensure that we keep our environment and workplaces to ensure that we all join in this noble course to achieve the purpose or the targets that the president has set not only for himself but for us all,” she told the Appointments Committee.

On scoring the country’s trajetory over a scale of one over 10, she said attaining cleanliness is not an event but a process that is achievable over time.

President Akufo-Addo at a durbar organised by the Ngleshie Alata Traditional Area at Jamestownon on April 24, 2017, promised to make Accra the cleanest city in Africa by the end of his tenure in office.

Maa Lydia as she is affectionately called pledged to ensure completion of the Damongo Water Project in the Savannah region on schedule.

The Damongo Water Project, a major initiative aimed at enhancing the provision of clean drinking water to the residents of Damongo and its neighbouring communities, was initially set to commence in August 2021. Despite the availability of funds, the project was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Upon completion, the project, which is estimated to cost $49 million, will provide potable water to several communities including Yipala, Banyasi, Ntereso, Fulfoso, Sumpini, Busunu, Kebiesu, Tailorpe, Alhassan Kura, Jonokponto, Achubunyo, Soalepe, Canteen, Frafra Settlement No.3, Boroto, and Nabori.

The project aligns with the government’s ‘Water For All’ agenda and is expected to alleviate poverty and enhance the living standards of the beneficiary communities. In response to the increasing demand for water, other water projects are also being implemented.

The nominee emphasized that the water project was a top priority.

She also said that high-yielding boreholes are being constructed as an interim solution ahead of the main project.

“The water issue in Damongo is a very high priority on my table together with the managing director who happens to also be a son of the region. This doesn’t mean that our focus will only be on the region. Let me assure you and the region that we will do all that it takes to ensure that the project that has started is completed timeously.”

“As we speak high yielding boreholes are being constructed to hold the fort while the main project comes on board,” she stated.

By: Christian Kpesese