Editorial
Regulate charges at public restrooms
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Dear Editor,
Public restrooms play an important role in everyday life, public health, and the functioning of cities. Most importantly, a clean public restroom such a public toilet facility is crucial in preventing the spread of diseases.
In Ghana, access to public restrooms is not a problem, as toilet and urinal facilities could be found at various places, including market centres, lorry stations, and other institutions. Most of these facilities are either managed by the government through the local government agencies or by private operators.
While access to these facilities have never been a challenge, there is one major problem that users of these facilities have raised over the years, and this has to do with the amount they charge patrons of these facilities.
Recently, at the Madina lorry station, I observed an argument between a lady and a manager of a public restroom over the amount she was asked to pay for using the facility.
According to the lady, she had to pay GH₵10 for using the restroom, an amount she found to be too expensive. However, she had no option than to pay and use the facility.
Also, a few of my friends have complained or either observed similar encounters at different places. Though this may sound funny, I believe it is something that as a country, we need to look at.
Personally, I do not understand why one must pay so much for using a public restroom.
Again, users of such facilities sometimes complain that the state of some of these public restrooms was not the best, despite the huge amounts charged by the managers.
Some of these facilities are unhygienic.
I wish to use this platform to appeal to the agencies in charge to investigate some of these instances and find a way to regulate the charges.
Nii Ayi,
Madina
Dear Editor,
I am alarmed by the increasing rate of plastic waste in our communities.
Bottles, sachet water wrappers and food containers have become a common sight on our streets, markets and in our drainage system. This is gradually turning into an environmental and public health risk.
Improper disposal of plastic waste blocks the drains, causing flooding during rainy season and creating breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
It also pollutes the rivers, lakes and sea, threatening aquatic life and affecting the livelihood of many people especially fishermen.
Although government agencies, environmental organisations and community groups have organised a clean-up exercises, the menace remains a major headache for bodies responsible in tackling the sanitation problems.
There is, therefore, an urgent need for strict enforcement of the sanitation laws, increased investment in recycling facilities and sustained public education on waste management.
Every citizen has a role to play by disposing off waste responsibly, reducing the use of single use plastics and participating in community clean-up exercise.
Protecting the environment is not just a responsibility for the government. It is one for every citizen and our collective actions today will determine the quality life for the future or the next generation.
As a concerned citizen, I hope this issue receive the immediate attention it deserves before plastic waste pollution causes even greater damage to our communities.
Desmond Aidoo,
Sowutuom
Dear Editor,
I am alarmed by the increasing rate of plastic waste in our communities.
Bottles, sachet water wrappers and food containers have become a common sight on our streets, markets and in our drainage system. This is gradually turning into an environmental and public health risk.
Improper disposal of plastic waste blocks the drains, causing flooding during rainy season and creating breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
It also pollutes the rivers, lakes and sea, threatening aquatic life and affecting the livelihood of many people especially fishermen.
Although government agencies, environmental organisations and community groups have organised a clean-up exercises, the menace remains a major headache for bodies responsible in tackling the sanitation problems.
There is, therefore, an urgent need for strict enforcement of the sanitation laws, increased investment in recycling facilities and sustained public education on waste management.
Every citizen has a role to play by disposing off waste responsibly, reducing the use of single use plastics and participating in community clean-up exercise.
Protecting the environment is not just a responsibility for the government. It is one for every citizen and our collective actions today will determine the quality life for the future or the next generation.
As a concerned citizen, I hope this issue receive the immediate attention it deserves before plastic waste pollution causes even greater damage to our communities.
Desmond Aidoo,
Sowutuom
