President of the Chamber of Local Government, Dr. Richard Fiadomor, has indicated that MMDAs are responsible for ensuring proper waste management and sanitation in the country.
Dr. Fiadomor averred that the structure of the local government makes them responsible and not the the sole mandate of the Regional Minister.
“When it comes to issues of waste management and sanitation, it’s a prime responsibility of the MMDAs. Obviously, we wouldn’t say that they have done well and we wouldn’t say they have not done too well.”
Dr. Richard Fiadomor
According to Dr. Fiadomor, there is still more room for improvement and as such, he suggested that the Assemblies’ be given a free hand to be able to perform their functions devoid of any political interference or that of traditional authorities.
“The major stakeholders should also allow the Assemblies’ be in a better position to perform better.”
Dr. Richard Fiadomor
Touching on the Assemblies’ inability to exert autonomy, Dr. Fiadomor attributed the situation to some of the leaders having political affiliations.
“What is happening is that, the way the Assemblies’ are set up, we have political appointees who make the executives of these Assemblies’ and that is why there is political interference because they are appointees of the government of the day.”
Dr. Richard Fiadomor
Traditional Leader’s Influence
The President of the Chamber of Local Government disclosed that the Assemblies’ face a situation where in the powerful traditional areas, the chiefs have some overbearing influence on the Assembly.
“We had a situation in the Ashanti Region where a sitting Chief Executive was even banned and threatened by the traditional authorities there.”
Dr. Richard Fiadomor
Dr. Fiadomor attributed the poor sanitation in the country to lack of enforcement of the country’s sanitation laws. He noted that there is a criminal offence Act which can be applied to persons who don’t keep their frontages clean.
“So, we have a situation where a Regional Minister comes and the whole thing has become a Greater Accra issue which I think for me, it’s most unfortunate because the laws are there when you don’t clean your frontage.”
Dr. Richard Fiadomor
The President of the Chamber congratulated the Regional Minister for reviving what the law stands for through the “Operation Clean Your Frontage” which commenced today. He then urged the Assemblies across the nation to be up and doing in ensuring the right thing is done.
“The Assemblies’ are set up to enforce sanitation laws and by-laws. So, we want to see the Assemblies’ taking the lead role like how the Regional Minister has done and ensure that the rest of its members also take up the campaign.”
Dr. Richard Fiadomor
Dr. Fiadomor suggested that the initiative should become a daily routine which at the end of the day, will have a sanitation taskforce .
“Let’s empower the Assemblies’ to do what they have to do. Beyond today, I do not expect to see the Regional Minister moving up and down, giving directives as to what should be done on the field.”
Dr. Richard Fiadomor
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