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National Convener of M-CODe calls on authorities to enforce building permits and by-laws
The National Convener of the Media Coalition Against Open Defecation (M-CODe), Mr Francis Ameyibor has called on Regional Coordinating Councils (RCC) and the various Metropolitan Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to strictly enforce building permits and bye-laws that compel landlords and potential developers of houses to include toilet facilities in their building plans.
He said that has become necessary as it was the first measure and best measure to ending widespread open defecation that has become problematic in the country.
“The RCC and MMDAs play critical roles in granting building permit and hence the starting point to eradicating open defecation is the enforcement of building laws and bye laws which compels potential developers to include toilet facilities in their building plans,” he said.
Mr Ameyibor made the call in Koforidua during the launch of the Eastern Regional M-CODe Open Defecation Free Stakeholders Engagement Platform which was purposed to accelerate the fight against the practice in the region while they contributed to helping the country to eradicate it by 2030.
The launch of the platform which formed part of the “M-CODe 2023 Anti-Open Defecation Nationwide Advocacy” efforts supported by World Vision would also ensure collaboration between media practitioners’ and other stakeholders to work together to identify challenges and operational gabs, and work together towards a common goal of eradicating the practice.
Stakeholders on the platform would include the RCC, Regional Environmental Health Office, National Commission for Civic education (NCCE), Regional SHEP, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice and Community Water and Sanitation Agency and the media (CWSA).
Mr Ameyibor stated that it was a disgrace to all Ghanaians that in the 21st century, some people continued to engage in open defecation, and stated the practice cast a slur on the country, especially on the international scene.
He said there was the need for the RCC and MMDAs to be supported to educate the public to understand that building permits would only be granted to potential developers with strategic building plans that clearly showed that toilet facilities would be included in their plans.
“While we work to ensure that old houses without toilets rectify the anomalies, we must ensure that new buildings are not allowed to spring up without toilet facilities,” he said.
He stated the Eastern Regional M-CODe platform would relentlessly engage the RCC and MMDAs to play a bigger role towards the achievement of open defecation free Ghana as “we seek through the platform to rejuvenate public awareness campaign towards the global target of elimination of open defecation by 2030.”
He said as part of measures MMDAs and RCCs doing well to end open defecation would be applauded while other who do not would be exposed, adding that other stakeholders including World Vision, Greater Accra Metropolitan Area Sanitation and Water Project, religious and traditional leaders, among others would be involved and called on corporate world to support national and regional efforts with the required investment.
For his part, the World Vision Ghana Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Technical Coordinator, Mr Yaw Atta Arhin stated that his outfit would continue to support the government and other stakeholders to hasten access to basic sanitation infrastructure to help in improved sanitation of the country.
He said while the country has made significant progress to ensuring access to safe water, the progress towards universal access to improved sanitation and ending open defecation has been slow.
He therefore urged the M-CODe to scale up its efforts across the country by organizing innovative programmes and engage significant stakeholders as well as use social and traditional media to educate the public and end open defecation.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
The spokesperson for Dr. Bawumia, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has criticised the implementation of the NDC government’s No Fee Stress policy, arguing that the programme has failed to deliver on its core promise.
According to him on Starr fm, the policy, which was introduced to ensure stress free payment of fees for level 100 tertiary students, has rather turned into what he described as post stress support.
He explained that students are required to pay their fees first before applying for reimbursement, a situation he believes defeats the purpose of the policy.
He questioned claims by government officials that the policy has been successful and that citizens are happy.
In his view, such claims do not reflect the lived realities of many Ghanaians. He stressed that while some people may appear satisfied, many others continue to struggle.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye pointed to the situation of trained teachers and nurses who have been picketing for nearly six months, demanding employment.
He noted that government responses suggesting it cannot accommodate all of them contradict claims of economic stability.
He further argued that economic indicators such as a stable currency mean little to people who are unable to secure jobs or access promised support.
He observed that telling an unemployed teacher or a struggling student that the cedi has strengthened does not address their immediate challenges.
On the issue of tertiary education, he maintained that no level 100 student benefited from stress free fees in 2025, despite the policy being announced.
He added that in 2026, students have already reported to school without receiving the promised support.
He insisted that asking students to pay fees first and seek reimbursement later amounts to support after hardship, not stress free education.
According to him, this approach goes against what was promised during the policy announcement.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye questioned why a government that presents the economy as strong is unable to fulfil what he described as simple and clear promises.
He added that there is a fundamental problem with the way the economy is being managed and indicated that he is prepared to explain his position further.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Dancehall musician Shatta Wale has issued a strong public statement calling for an end to what he describes as continuous attacks on his brand, following an apology from media commentator Awal Mohammed.
In the statement, Shatta Wale acknowledged the apology but stressed that persistent criticism and what he sees as deliberate attempts to damage his image must stop.
He noted that for many years, he has spoken for the streets, the youth, and people who feel ignored by society, while also promoting Ghana on the global stage and creating jobs through his work.
He expressed concern that some media personalities, commentators, and influential figures continue to target his name unfairly.
According to him, the issue goes beyond music and touches on respect, fairness, and national maturity.
The musician warned that continued disrespect toward voices that represent ordinary people could have wider consequences.
He emphasised that the Shatta Movement remains strong and organized, and that the patience of the masses should not be taken for granted.
He added that if systems continue to fail the people, they have the ability to organize politically through numbers and truth, not violence or hate.
Shatta Wale clarified that his message was not a threat but a reminder of reality, stressing that attacking a symbol that represents millions of people can have social, cultural, and democratic effects.
He called for respect, fairness, and unity, saying the voice of the people will always rise.
The statement comes after Awal Mohammed recently described Shatta Wale fans during a public discussion as junkies.
The comments triggered backlash from fans of the musician, prompting Awal to later issue an apology.
By: Jacob Aggrey
