Government ministers have intensified sanitation oversight with unannounced inspections across parts of the capital, urging sustained collaboration among authorities, traders and residents to keep communities clean beyond official exercises.
The joint inspection, conducted on Dec. 13 as part of National Sanitation Week activities, was led by the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, alongside the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, and Deputy Minister Hon. Rita Naa Odoley Sowah. The exercise formed part of government’s strengthened supervision of sanitation delivery at the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assembly level.
During the inspections, ministers engaged traders and community members at key locations, discussing sanitation practices, public order and pedestrian access. The interactions were aimed at reinforcing shared responsibility between assemblies, traders and residents in maintaining clean and orderly environments.
Hon. Naa Odoley Sowah appealed to MMDAs, market women and traders to treat cleanliness as a daily obligation rather than a response to inspections, noting that clean surroundings attract customers, boost patronage and directly support local economic growth.
Hon. Gomashie stressed that sanitation is central to Ghana’s national image and tourism development. She noted that visitors encounter streets and markets before hotels or cultural attractions, making clean public spaces essential for attracting tourists and supporting local businesses.
Hon. Ibrahim announced a clear shift in sanitation supervision, saying future inspections will no longer be preceded by advance notice. “Sanitation must be treated as a continuous responsibility, not an occasional response to inspections,” he said, explaining that unannounced visits allow authorities to assess real conditions rather than staged preparations.
As part of preparations toward the Christmas festivities, the Ministry of Local Government has rolled out a week-long sanitation and beautification exercise under the National Sanitation Day initiative across all MMDAs. Ibrahim visited assemblies including Madina and La-Nkwantanang to inspect clean-up activities and met district chief executives working alongside their communities.
Streetlights are also being assessed, with improvement works underway ahead of Christmas. Ibrahim commended local leadership and urged all MMDCEs to remain present, proactive and engaged as efforts continue to make cities clean, safe and welcoming for the festive season.