The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Sanitation, Ahmed Ibrahim, has proposed the introduction of a sanitation levy to help address Ghana’s persistent waste management challenges.
Speaking to journalists after a national sanitation forum in Accra on March 27, the Minister highlighted the need for a sustainable financial mechanism to improve public hygiene, enhance waste disposal systems, and support long-term sanitation projects.
With the sanitation sector now under his ministry’s jurisdiction, Ahmed Ibrahim stressed that urgent interventions were necessary to combat poor waste management, indiscriminate littering, and inadequate drainage systems, particularly in major cities like Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi.
He explained that the proposed levy would facilitate the creation of a sanitation fund, ensuring dedicated financial resources for sanitation initiatives.
“When you are creating a fund, it means instituting a tax. It has to be sourced from somewhere, and it is long overdue,” he stated, adding that the Ministry would push for the levy once Parliament reconvenes.
Ghana has long struggled with sanitation issues, with waste mismanagement contributing to environmental pollution and health risks. The government hopes that by implementing this levy, it can establish a more efficient and sustainable approach to keeping the country clean.
