General News of Thursday, 11 October 2018
Source: citinewsroom.com
2018-10-11
Dr. Zanetor Agyemang Rawlings, NDC Member of Parliament for the Klottey Korle Constituency
National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for the Klottey Korle Constituency, Dr. Zanetor Agyemang Rawlings, wants Parliament to take keen interest in passing a legislation on the use and production of plastics in the country.
Her call comes on the back of a Citi News report which highlighted a worsening sanitation situation at Osu Anohor in Accra.
Subsequently, the Minister of sanitation, Cecelia Dapaah after a tour of the area last Monday, instructed the Assembly Member to provide a road-map to tackle the insanitary conditions. Reacting to the reports, Dr. Zanetor Rawlings, MP for the area, indicated that a coordinated effort is needed to address sanitation issues generally in the country.
“We need to definitely look at trying to support people in the community who are willing to help with waste management. The AMA has a huge role to play. This is something we need to tackle across board. Parliament needs to seriously look at the legislation that deals with plastic production and waste as well as the type of plastic we allow within the country.”
Osu Anohor engulfed in filth
There is an impending health risk at Osu Anohor close to the former seat of government if authorities do not act in time to address the sanitation challenges.
A major drain that is supposed to channel liquid waste into the sea has now become storage for plastic waste and human excreta that finally ends up in the sea.
An alternative was introduced as a means of preventing the plastic waste from ending up in the sea, but those in charge have not been able to clear the waste over a period of time.
We’ll succeed in making Accra Africa’s cleanest city – Sanitation Minister
The Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources is hopeful that President’s Akufo Addo’s dream of making the national capital, Accra, the cleanest city in Africa by 2020 will be achieved.
President Akufo-Addo in April 2017 promised to make Accra the cleanest city in Africa by the end of his first term.
The ambitious plan comes in the face of worsening sanitation problems in the capital, with city authorities struggling to deal with the situation.
More than a year after the announcement, many have doubted the President’s vision since nothing significant has been undertaken to rid the city of its heavy filth, except the launch of a national sanitation campaign which is yielding no result.
Madam Dapaah affirmed that the president’s dream of transforming the city will be realized by the year 2020.
“It can, why not? The president is determined, and I am sure we are all determined. For instance, the Ministry would have to provide leadership, monitoring, evaluation and assessment in ensuring that everything is provided for the assembly and the contractors to work effectively.”