The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ahanta West, Hon. Mavis Kuukua Bissue, has called for a coordinated and sustained effort to address Ghana’s sanitation crisis, homelessness, and the rapid spread of slums.
She emphasized that tackling these challenges requires a holistic approach, combining policy reform, law enforcement, infrastructure development, and economic empowerment.
Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, February 18, Hon. Bissue stressed the alarming statistics from the 2021 Population and Housing Census, revealing that only 51.4% of urban households have their solid waste collected, while 34.1% of urban dwellers lack access to proper toilet facilities.
Worse still, a recent 2024 Ghana Statistical Service survey found that open defecation is practiced by 25% of households.
“The state of sanitation in Ghana continues to be a source of grave concern. After 67 years of independence, it is unacceptable that only 25% of households have access to basic, safe sanitation infrastructure,” she stated.
She also referenced a devastating cholera outbreak in Ahanta West between October and December 2024, which affected 345 residents and resulted in four deaths.
While acknowledging past government initiatives like the National Sanitation Campaign, she lamented their limited impact.
“Despite the invaluable time and resources expended on this initiative, we continue to grapple with the same unsustainable, unproductive, and unhealthy sanitation conditions,” she said.
According to Hon. Mavis Bissue, the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources has seen steady increases in budget allocations—from GH₵360 million in 2020 to GH₵374 million in 2023—yet the country’s sanitation issues persist. She called for more targeted and effective use of these funds.
The MP stressed that sanitation challenges cannot be solved in isolation, arguing that homelessness, streetism, and slum growth contribute significantly to the problem.
“We cannot win the sanitation war until we purposefully and pragmatically begin to tackle homelessness, streetism, and slum proliferation,” she declared.
She pointed to inadequate housing, economic hardship, unemployment, and rapid rural-urban migration as key drivers of these issues.
To address these interconnected challenges, Hon. MavisBissue outlined a series of recommendations:
National Dialogue on Rural-Urban Migration and Economic Empowerment: She proposed an annual government-led forum involving stakeholders—including civil society organizations, traditional leaders, academics, businesses, and the general public—to identify and address the root causes of rural-urban migration.
Affordable Housing for Rural Communities: She advocated for the development of low-cost housing with essential amenities, available on a hire-purchase basis to encourage rural dwellers to stay in their communities.
National Waste Segregation and Recycling Drive: A nationwide campaign on proper waste segregation and disposal, she argued, could help expand Ghana’s recycling industry, creating jobs while improving sanitation.
Stronger Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): She urged the government to collaborate with the private sector to mobilize resources and expertise for large-scale sanitation infrastructure projects.
Stricter Law Enforcement: She called for local authorities and relevant agencies to enforce sanitation laws rigorously, applying penalties for violations.
Youth Employment in Sanitation Services: She encouraged young people to explore business opportunities in waste management and sanitation services.
Installation of Litter Bins in Public Spaces: The MP also proposed placing clearly labelled litter bins in designated public areas as part of a national effort to curb indiscriminate waste disposal.
The Ahanta West MP urged all stakeholders to commit to sustainable solutions and stressed that Ghana’s sanitation crisis, homelessness, and slum proliferation demand a united front.
“With education, enforcement, investment in infrastructure, and economic empowerment, we can create a cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous Ghana,” she said.