The Krachi East Municipal Chief Executive, Safo Nketiah, has expressed gratitude to Zoomlion Ghana Limited for its significant contributions to the municipality's sanitation efforts. Speaking on the sidelines of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Sanitation and Water Resources engagement in Ho, Volta Region, Mr. Nketiah emphasized that Zoomlion's interventions have been instrumental in maintaining cleanliness in the area. He cited the company's provision of free waste management services, including waste lifting and clean-up exercises.
Mr. Nketiah highlighted the importance of Zoomlion's IRECOP facility located at Yabram, which serves as a critical waste disposal site for the municipality. He noted that without this facility, the area would face significant challenges in managing its waste, especially in the absence of a landfill site. The IRECOP facility not only provides a reliable waste disposal solution but also produces affordable organic fertilizers that benefit local farmers.
The Krachi East MCE emphasized that Zoomlion's support has alleviated pressure on the municipality's limited resources, allowing for more effective sanitation management. He called on other corporate bodies to follow Zoomlion's example and support assemblies in addressing sanitation and water challenges. Mr. Nketiah also stressed the need for increased funding and timely release of the 10 percent sanitation allocation from the District Assemblies Common Fund to enable effective planning and execution of sanitation programs.
The Parliamentary Select Committee on Sanitation and Water Resources engaged with Metropolitan Municipal and District Chief Executives in the Volta and Oti Regions to discuss sanitation challenges and the utilization of the 10 percent sanitation allocation from the District Assemblies Common Fund. The engagement revealed that many districts face significant challenges, including inadequate skip and refuse containers, worn-out containers, and limited funding for sanitation infrastructure.
During the engagement, District Chief Executives highlighted the need for improved sanitation infrastructure and increased community participation in sanitation programs. The District Chief Executive of North Tongu, Victoria Amefadzi Doe Yawa, expressed gratitude to the Volta River Authority for donating six skip containers to her district and outlined efforts to procure additional containers. However, she admitted that community participation in sanitation programs remains low despite ongoing sensitization efforts.
The engagements also revealed that many districts struggle with incentivizing sanitation workers, with low remuneration affecting their motivation and performance. For instance, sweepers in North Tongu are paid between GH¢300 and GH¢350 a month, an amount considered inadequate by Chairman Oti Bless. The Committee's engagement aimed to establish how assemblies access and utilize the 10 percent sanitation allocation and to identify challenges affecting access and utilization.
The Krachi East Assembly's commendation of Zoomlion's interventions underscores the critical role that private sector support plays in addressing sanitation challenges in Ghana. As the country continues to grapple with sanitation issues, collaborations between assemblies and corporate bodies like Zoomlion will be essential in bridging the financing gap and ensuring effective waste management.
Key points
- The Krachi East Municipal Chief Executive, Safo Nketiah, commends Zoomlion Ghana Limited for its significant contributions to the municipality's sanitation efforts.
- Zoomlion's IRECOP facility at Yabram provides a critical waste disposal solution and produces affordable organic fertilizers for local farmers.
- Inadequate funding and limited resources continue to hamper sanitation efforts in many districts, highlighting the need for increased support from corporate bodies and the government.
