In a show of support for the reintroduction of the National Sanitation Day (NSD), Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, has underscored the urgent need for robust legal frameworks and effective enforcement mechanisms to address Ghana’s sanitation challenges. He pointed to the deteriorating state of landfill sites across Accra and the recurrent cholera outbreaks as indicators of systemic failure in waste management and public health governance.

The Ga Mantse made these remarks when the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, paid a courtesy call on him on Wednesday, April 16, as part of a broader engagement with leaders of the clergy and traditional institutions ahead of the official reintroduction of NSD in May.

He reaffirmed his readiness to partner with the Ministry to drive the sanitation agenda and highlighted grassroots initiatives like the Pre-Homowo Cleanup Exercise as proven models of community-led action. According to the Ga Mantse, such interventions demonstrate the power of local mobilisation in effecting lasting environmental change.

The upcoming National Sanitation Day initiative, spearheaded by Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, aims to instill a nationwide culture of cleanliness, curb sanitation-related diseases such as cholera, and promote environmental stewardship. In his engagements with faith-based and traditional leaders, the Minister emphasised that poor waste management practices are not only degrading the environment but are also contributing to major public health crises. A recent cholera outbreak, he noted, has affected 58 districts, leading to 49 deaths and over 580 reported cases.

The Minister announced that the initiative would feature a “Sanitation League,” which will assess and rank the performance of districts based on their cleanliness. Top-performing districts will be recognised and rewarded, while those underperforming may face sanctions. He also indicated that enforcement of sanitation by-laws would be prioritised at the local level through collaboration with Municipal and District Assemblies.

“We cannot keep doing the same things and expect different results,” the Minister stressed. He called on all Ghanaians to adopt responsible sanitation practices and support the government’s renewed effort to create cleaner, healthier communities.

Source: Matilda Tettey/Sandra Owusu Asamoah

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)

The General Overseer of Action Chapel International and Chairman of the National Association of Charismatic and Christian Churches (NACCC), Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, has thrown his weight behind the government’s National Sanitation Day initiative, urging Ghanaians to take personal responsibility for the cleanliness of their environment.

Speaking during a courtesy call by the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, Archbishop Duncan-Williams commended the Ministry for taking bold steps to address the country’s sanitation crisis. He emphasized that the issue of sanitation should not be seen as the sole responsibility of government, but as a shared duty for all citizens, churches, and communities.

“The first thing God did before creating man was to establish the Garden of Eden and place man in charge of it,” he stated. “In the same way, God has entrusted us with the earth to guard, protect, and preserve it. This is a responsibility we cannot ignore.”

He pledged the commitment of the NACCC to support the campaign and announced plans to mobilize churches and pastors across all 16 regions to champion sanitation awareness. “We will encourage our churches to incorporate the message of cleanliness into their Sunday sermons and community engagements,” he affirmed. “It is time we built a culture where environmental hygiene is a way of life.”

The Archbishop also called for a broader national awakening on the issue of sanitation, suggesting the inclusion of environmental stewardship in the school curriculum. He lamented the lack of civic responsibility among citizens, illustrated by daily acts of neglect and indifference to basic cleanliness.

“I believe this is a serious matter of education and consciousness. People pass by filth without taking action not because they don’t see it, but because they don’t feel responsible,” he said. “This mindset must change.”

Touching on Ghana’s development challenges, Archbishop Duncan-Williams expressed concern about the nation’s continued struggle with basic issues such as sanitation, despite decades of independence. He attributed the problem to a deeper issue of national character and commitment. “It is not just about corruption; it’s about a lack of love for country. You do not exploit what you love.”

He concluded with a strong message of support to the government: “We will not leave this burden to the state alone. We are prepared to partner, take initiative, and lead where necessary. The future of our children and grandchildren depends on the decisions we make today. Cleanliness is not just a habit; it is a foundation for national progress and longevity.”

Archbishop Duncan-Williams’ remarks underscore the growing consensus that a national transformation in sanitation must begin with individual responsibility, community action, and cross-sector collaboration.

In response, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim expressed his appreciation to the Archbishop for his passionate support. He remarked, “We believe that true transformation begins from within communities, and the church is a powerful partner in shaping values and attitudes. If we can influence the mindset of people from the pulpit, we can drive lasting change across our nation.” The Minister emphasized the need for consistent action and encouraged faith-based institutions to take leadership in the collective national effort toward a cleaner Ghana.

Source: Matilda Tettey/Sandra Owusu Asamoah

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)

The President of the Southern Ghana Union of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church (SDA), Pastor Thomas Techie Ocran, has assured the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs of the SDA Church’s unwavering support for the upcoming reintroduction of the National Sanitation Day (NSD). He made this known during a high-level engagement with the Minister, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, who paid a courtesy call on him as part of the Ministry’s stakeholder consultations towards the successful revival of the nationwide cleanup campaign.

In his remarks, Pastor Ocran commended the Ministry’s commitment to strategic planning and emphasized that the success of the NSD initiative lies in deliberate and coordinated execution. “If the Ministry plans and says this is what we will be doing this week, places are allocated to people to do things, equipment is made available, and vehicles are deployed to assist, then we can be sure we will succeed, not just from the SDA point of view, but at a national level,” he said.

While affirming the SDA’s readiness to cooperate with government efforts, Pastor Ocran also clarified the Church’s doctrinal stance regarding work on Saturdays, which are observed as holy. He therefore proposed Sunday as the most appropriate day for the Church’s active participation in sanitation exercises. “We cannot work on Saturday, but we are willing and committed to working on Sunday. As long as you will work with us in that direction, we will work with you,” he stated.

Pastor Ocran further referenced past collaborative efforts with previous administrations, highlighting the Church’s consistent engagement in national development activities. He revealed that his directors had suggested May 1, a public holiday, as a symbolic opportunity to launch the initiative, which could then be followed by broader action on Sunday, May 4.

“We want to assure you that if this is clearly indicated in the planning, our members will understand, and all eyes will be on us to lead by example. We will do our best for the glory of God first and in support of national development,” he emphasized.

Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim expressed his deep appreciation to the leadership of the SDA Church for their openness and commitment to nation-building. He reiterated the Ministry’s inclusive approach to stakeholder engagement and acknowledged the indispensable role of religious institutions in mobilizing communities for sustained national impact.

The reintroduction of the National Sanitation Day forms part of government’s renewed agenda to improve environmental cleanliness, public hygiene, and civic responsibility through community-driven action.

Source: Matilda Tettey/Darling Maame Efua Cann

(Public Relations Unit MLGDRD)