This sanitation issue!

Some things do not change in this country.  The rains shall fall in May, and June and even July.  That is out of our control.  It is an act of God and he decides how often and the intensity.  Who are we to question God? 

However, there is something man-made that is gradually becoming something that is also not changing and it is worrying.  A week ago the President initiated a national clean up campaign to address the issue of sanitation in the country, especially in Accra. 

Citizens enthusiastically got involved and engaged in cleaning their environment and other places but afterwards, the issue that is becoming a permanent feature resisting change, reared its ugly head again. 

The rubbish and the silt that were dug out of the drains, were heaped on the shoulders of the drains and left there.  Any little rain will render the whole effort futile because the rubbish and silt will be washed right back into the drains. 

This is what is not changing in the country and the various assemblies must ensure that this issue is dealt with and must become a thing of the past.

There is the need to engage the citizenry across board, in connection with mindset change, as far as sanitation is concerned.  At this juncture, I must acknowledge the thoughtful initiative of the current crop of Abenfo (i.e. students both present and past) of SUTESCO of Suhum, with support of the school administration for decorating the area under the overpass on the Accra Kumasi highway, near the school, with fascinating paintings.  This is an example worthy of emulation and makes me proud as one of the Abenfo. 

An example not worthy of emulation is an eyesore currently existing behind a cemetery along the Atta Mills link as you branch left, off the main Accra-Cape Coast road at Old barrier and head towards the beach through Aplaku, Bortianor, Oshiyie, Korobite through to Tuba and beyond. 

The drain along the walls of the cemetery also lying astride the road, is choked with silt and rubbish.  This has created a problem near the end of the cemetery wall just before you enter Bortianor. 

Water has accumulated at that point, creating potholes and also gradually creating a channel across the road, creating a nightmare for motorists using that route.  This route is the main link between parts of Kasoa and the Accra – Cape Coast road and whenever it rains and the Atala stretch of the road is blocked, that is the route most motorists from Kasoa uses.

It is also the route used by tourists going to the beaches along the sea of the towns stretching from Bortianor to Kokrobite and so it does not speak well of us, as a nation at all.

A few days ago, I had to pass through Tema Station, the place where a major clean up exercise was conducted just fews days ago and it was very shocking to see the level of wanton littering that had taken place. 

One begins to wonder if this whole exercise initiated by the President was worth it.  People just do not care and are not willing to change their attitude towards sanitation. 

We cannot continue like this and to win this battle against insanitary conditions in our environment, the NCCE must be resourced to embark on a serious educational drive.  The MMDCEs must also be held accountable for sanitation lapses in their administrative areas, by making sanitation part of their KPIs among other innovative policies.  This is one of the surest ways to overcome this sanitation challenge confronting us. God bless.

By Laud Kissi-Mensah