The Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament’s Sanitation Committee, Ralph Poku-Adusei, has raised alarm over what he describes as Ghana’s deteriorating sanitation situation, warning that poor waste management—particularly in Accra—poses a serious threat to public health and national development.
According to the Bekwai Member of Parliament, findings from parliamentary oversight visits to sanitation facilities across the country indicate that Ghana’s waste management system is struggling to cope with growing demands.
Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, July 7, Mr Poku-Adusei described the committee’s observations as deeply troubling.
“I must admit that over the past year and a half that we’ve been in Parliament, the report, our observations and our visits to several sites when it comes to sanitation and related matters are not the best. It’s appalling,” he said.
He argued that the country’s sanitation challenges stem largely from the government’s inability to meet its obligations under Ghana’s Environmental Sanitation Policy, which places the responsibility for ensuring proper sanitation on the state.
“The government is failing on that responsibility. That is why we are where we are today,” he stated.
According to him, public institutions responsible for sanitation lack the logistics, equipment, infrastructure and personnel required to effectively collect and dispose of waste across the country.
Mr Poku-Adusei also expressed concern over the financial difficulties facing members of the Environmental Service Providers Association (ESPA), saying delayed payments and inadequate funding have weakened the ability of private waste management companies to deliver essential services.
He noted that the situation is especially critical in Accra, where more than 4,000 tonnes of waste are generated every day.
Describing the capital’s sanitation challenges as a national security issue, the lawmaker said the volume of waste being produced requires coordinated government intervention.
“This is the metropolis. This is the capital city of Ghana. Look at the amount of waste being generated per day. This should be considered as a serious issue for the government,” he said.
The Bekwai MP also criticised the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo, accusing her of failing to provide the leadership needed to address the worsening sanitation situation in the capital.
He alleged that the minister had not taken decisive action despite the scale of the challenge, arguing that urgent intervention is needed to improve waste collection, strengthen sanitation infrastructure and ensure adequate funding for service providers.
Mr Poku-Adusei urged the government to prioritise sanitation as a national development issue, warning that failure to address existing infrastructure, funding and operational gaps could further undermine public health, environmental sustainability and the quality of life in urban communities.
