The Parliamentary Select Committee on Water and Sanitation has praised the Volta Region for its sanitation efforts during a two-day monitoring tour of sanitation and waste management facilities in the Volta and Oti regions. The Committee, led by John Oti Bless, visited the Ho Integrated Recycling and Compost Plant (IRECOP) at Akrofu-Agorve, where it observed the region's waste management systems. This visit was part of Parliament's oversight responsibility to examine the state of sanitation and waste management infrastructure.
According to the Committee's Chairman, John Oti Bless, the Volta Region stands out as the cleanest region among the eight regions visited so far. He attributed the region's cleanliness to effective sanitation efforts and urged stakeholders to sustain and improve sanitation standards through public education and advocacy. The Committee's assessment aims to identify challenges confronting the sanitation sector and engage operators and stakeholders.
The Ho IRECOP facility, with a 600-metric-tonne processing capacity, sorts and recovers materials such as plastics, metals, organic waste, and paper. It also produces compost, operates a recyclable materials bank, and undertakes plastic pre-processing. IRECOP's operations are part of a broader waste management model with facilities across Ghana's 16 regions. The company emphasizes the importance of recycling and resource recovery in creating employment and supporting local economic activity.
IRECOP's operations also focus on public education to encourage proper waste separation, recycling, and responsible disposal. The company's efforts align with the Committee's goals of promoting effective waste management practices. By engaging stakeholders and the public, the Committee aims to strengthen sanitation management in Ghana.
The Committee's recognition of the Volta Region's cleanliness comes as the region continues to work on improving waste collection, recycling, and disposal systems. Stakeholders stress the need for continued public participation and stronger institutional support to sustain sanitation gains. The region's efforts to enhance waste management have been acknowledged as a positive step towards addressing sanitation challenges.
The Chairman of the Committee, John Oti Bless, reaffirmed the Committee's support for the proposed National Sanitation Authority Bill. The bill aims to establish a dedicated authority to strengthen sanitation management in Ghana. Stakeholders in the sanitation sector have expressed support for the bill, recognizing the need for a coordinated approach to address sanitation challenges.
The Parliamentary Select Committee on Water and Sanitation will continue to monitor sanitation and waste management facilities across Ghana. The Committee's efforts aim to promote effective waste management practices, improve sanitation standards, and address challenges confronting the sector. By engaging stakeholders and the public, the Committee seeks to contribute to Ghana's efforts to enhance sanitation and waste management.
Key points
- The Volta Region has been commended as the cleanest region visited by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Water and Sanitation.
- The Committee's assessment aims to identify challenges confronting the sanitation sector and engage operators and stakeholders.
- The proposed National Sanitation Authority Bill seeks to establish a dedicated authority to strengthen sanitation management in Ghana.
