A monitoring team from the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, led by the Environmental Health and Sanitation Directorate, on Tuesday, 16th December 2025 visited some selected Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the Greater Accra Region as part of activities marking the Christmas edition of the National Sanitation Week.

The exercise assessed leadership involvement, community participation and adherence to the Minister’s directive for citizens and local authorities to take ownership of their immediate environments.

Ablekuma North Municipal Assembly emerged as a standout performer, demonstrating strong leadership presence and proactive sanitation action. The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Hon. Musah Kalamu, led clean-up activities personally, working alongside community members. The Assembly commenced sanitation activities without reliance on contractors and outlined a structured plan to move from community to community. Hon. Kalamu further disclosed that the installation and maintenance of streetlights will be done by the Ministry of Energy, while they focus on painting areas they have already cleaned. The Ministry commended Ablekuma North for responding decisively to the Minister’s call and setting a positive example for other Assemblies.

At Ablekuma Central Municipal Assembly, the Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Frank Nkansah, was present on the ground with assembly members supervising the painting of pathways and the medians. He stressed the importance of residents taking ownership of their frontage and safeguarding public infrastructure such as streetlights. Hon. Nkansah noted that the Assembly has engaged traditional authorities and religious leaders to support sustained public sensitisation, adding that he personally joins churches and mosques to reinforce sanitation messages.

When the team got to Ablekuma West Municipal Assembly, sanitation activities were observed along major roads and medians, with community members involved in painting exercises. The Municipal Environmental Health Officer, Ms. Mable Frimpong, together with the Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. George Emmanuel Kpakpo Allotey, monitored the process.

At the Weija-Gbawe Municipal Assembly, the MCE, Mr. Felix Odartey Lamtey, mobilised assembly members and youth groups to clear weeds along major streets. He acknowledged challenges with resident participation but indicated that painting works would follow. A “bola taxi” was on standby to evacuate collected waste.

Similarly, at Ga South Municipal Assembly, the MCE, Hon. Moses Ocansey, led assembly members, youth groups and staff to clean the beaches, supported by waste management trucks to ensure timely evacuation of waste. The exercise forms part of efforts to prepare the coastline for the Christmas season.

Source: Chantal Aidoo

Public Relations Unit, MLGCRA

The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim has reaffirmed government’s commitment to restoring cleanliness and order across the country, as he led ongoing engagements under the National Sanitation Week initiative.

Addressing the media on Wednesday, 17^th December 2025 after visiting Okaikwei North, Ga Central, Ga North and Ga South Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), he observed that Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) have heeded the call and moved to the grounds to ensure the city is clean and ready for the Christmas celebration.

He explained that the National Sanitation Week, which runs from Saturday to Saturday, is not a one-off exercise rather a broader national reset aimed at making Ghana clean and bright. According to him, sanitation activities will continue beyond the designated week, gradually transitioning into a 24-hour sanitation culture across the country.

The Minister also highlighted complementary interventions including the distribution of streetlights by Regional Ministers to MMDAs nationwide to illuminate streets and public spaces to ensure that by Saturday, 20^th December 2025 the country is clean and bright

The Minister commended the media for their sustained support in amplifying sanitation messages and holding duty bearers accountable. He urged MMDCEs to demonstrate inner drive and leadership initiative, emphasizing that progress must not depend on external pressure.

He cautioned that unannounced monitoring visits will continue, noting that with the combined force of the media, field inspections, and the National Complaint Center, accountability at the local level will be significantly heightened.

Source: Chantal Aidoo

Public Relations Unit, MLGCRA

The Principal Environmental Health Management Officer and Monitoring Team Lead from the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mr. Kwaku Quansah, has reiterated that the National Sanitation Week is a nationwide behavioural change agenda aimed at sustained environmental cleanliness and beautification, and not a one-day exercise.

Speaking during the Ministry’s monitoring tour on Thursday, 18th December 2025 for day six at three, Mr. Quansah emphasized that sanitation activities are deliberately being carried out throughout the weekdays, to demonstrate government’s commitment to making cleanliness a daily responsibility rather than an occasional event, especially as the country prepares for the Christmas festivity.

He said citizens must move beyond the mindset that sanitation is limited to first Saturday of every month. The National Sanitation Agenda is about sustained action, ownership and proper waste management to ensure that the communities always remain clean and healthy.

The monitoring team visited La Dadekotopon (LADMA), Ledzokuku and Krowor Municipal Assemblies, where team members interacted with Assembly officials, sanitation workers, community volunteers and residents actively participating in weeding, desilting of drainages, clearing of medians and general environmental beautification.

At La Dadekotopon Municipal Assembly, the Team Lead commended the active involvement of community members observed weeding along principal roads, under the supervision of the Regional Environmental Health Officer, Madam Sybil Marie Boison. He noted that such community-led efforts are critical to achieving lasting sanitation outcomes.

In Ledzokuku, the team observed coordinated clean-up activities involving both men and women, supported by labourers and Assembly officials. They praised the Municipal Cleansing Officer, Mr. Yaw Adusei Boateng, and the Environmental Health Officer, Madam Doris Lawoe, for ensuring effective supervision, including the use of machinery to level sandy areas and enhance the aesthetic value of the municipality.

At the Krowor Municipal Assembly, the monitoring team lauded the hands-on leadership demonstrated by the Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Ing. Paul Afotey Quaye, and the Environmental Health Officer, Mr. Abukari Abdul-Wahab, particularly in addressing choked drainages within inner communities. He noted that leadership visibility and consistent community engagement remain key drivers of compliance and behavioural change.

The Ministry’s team expressed commitment to working closely with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, traditional authorities, religious bodies and the media to build a culture of cleanliness and environmental responsibility across the country.

Source:   Chantal Aidoo

Public Relations Unit, MLGCRA