Hon. Bismark Tetteh Nyarko, the Member of Parliament for Upper Manya Krobo and a member of the Sanitation and Water Resources Committee, has issued a clarion call for a united national effort to confront the deteriorating sanitation conditions across the country.
In a strong appeal for behavioral change and intensified government focus, the MP emphasized that the situation is dire and demands urgent intervention following the committee’s recent oversight tours across several districts.
“We must come together as Ghanaians and deal with the sanitation issues that confront our country”
Hon. Bismark Tetteh Nyarko, MP for Upper Manya Krobo
The Sanitation and Water Resources Committee has been on a nationwide tour during parliamentary recess, visiting multiple municipal and district assemblies to assess the state of sanitation. According to Hon. Nyarko, the findings are deeply troubling.
“You know the sanitation committee is so worried about the sanitation situation across the country. We have visited about 10 district assemblies.
“We’ve been to Kumasi, we’ve been to Ejisu, even in Accra we’ve been to Korle Klottey, and to so many other district assemblies and the worry of seeing rubbish littering the streets of our communities is so so so bad”
Hon. Bismark Tetteh Nyarko, MP for Upper Manya Krobo
He added that although decongesting the streets of major cities was meant to reduce waste accumulation, the opposite has occurred. A situation he described as “unfortunate,” citing the return of the traders back to the streets of accra.
Hon. Nyarko stressed that reversing the sanitation decline will require a reset in the public mindset. He advocated thar people need to be brought to understand that things cannot continue as they previously have.
“If we are on the street littering the street, falling to sweep the streets, and not paying the levies that are commensurate with our activities – Obviously, this is bad. Very bad”
Hon. Bismark Tetteh Nyarko, MP for Upper Manya Krobo
The situation is not limited to Accra. In Nyarko’s own constituency, similar problems persist. He explained that traders in the Asesewa market frequently leave waste strewn across streets and public spaces. “They litter the ground, they litter the streets of Asesewa, and Zoomlion that we all know are supposed to be sweeping the streets are also no more sweeping because of obvious reasons.”
Despite the challenges, the Sanitation Committee is working to get the central government to pay more attention to the crisis. “We are doing our best,” Hon. Nyarko stated, stressing that this is not a localized issue.
“It is not only in Accra or the constituency I come from that I mentioned, but it’s the whole country. If you travel across the length and breadth of Ghana, the sanitation situation is so bad”
Hon. Bismark Tetteh Nyarko, MP for Upper Manya Krobo
Reducing Dollar Demand
Hon. Nyarko, who also contributes to economic discussions in Parliament, took the opportunity to tie the sanitation crisis to broader economic policy issues. He urged the government to implement measures that stabilize the Cedi and improve livelihoods.
“The government must put in the necessary measures to reduce the demand on Cedi-Dollar transactions and ensure that the GoldBod works well,” he emphasized.
Speaking on future proposals from the finance committee, he outlined specific recommendations.
“We’ll definitely suggest to the government to do the best of the things that they are doing currently. The government must put in the necessary measures that will reduce the demand on the Cedi-Dollar transaction”
Hon. Bismark Tetteh Nyarko, MP for Upper Manya Krobo
He added that the GoldBod initiative, which requires 20 percent of gold exports to be converted into Cedis, is central to the effort.
“That also strengthens our Cedi stability in the country. And you know, anytime the Cedi is doing well, it enhances business to grow well because you don’t need more Cedi to get the same dollar you used to get to import for your business, and that’s what the government will continue to deliver”
Hon. Bismark Tetteh Nyarko, MP for Upper Manya Krobo
As the sanitation committee continues its oversight role, its members are calling for practical policy enforcement, citizen behavioral reform, and sustained government commitment to sanitation and macroeconomic stability for the advancement of the country.
