It is gov’t responsibility to collect taxes and clean cities – Nduom

Two-time presidential candidate Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom has condemned the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development in its attempt to promulgate a law to make the National Sanitation Day mandatory. “This is another example of leadership gone bad,” stated the Founder of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP).

According to the Former Minister of Public Sector Reforms, the Ministry's decision lends credence to his call for the election of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs).

“One of the key responsibilities of local governments in America, Japan, UK, South Africa and indeed Ghana, is to keep their environments clean and ensure a healthy people,” he stated on his official Facebook Page over the weekend.

He said it is within government’s remit to keep the cities clean to prevent the outbreak of diseases.

“Governments have a responsibility to collect taxes from us, and with it, clean our villages, towns and cities and keep us away from cholera, malaria, guinea worm, etc.”

“This is what the current administration and future ones must do in Ghana.”

He described as a shirking of responsibility on the part of government by blaming the filth that has engulfed the country's cities on its citizens.

“In the same way, when utility companies insist on pre-paid meters because they are not able to bill and collect what is due them, it tells us of management gone bad.

“Let's fix the real problem of incompetence. And let's give the people the right to elect directly their local leaders.”

The second edition of the National Sanitation Day was held last Saturday, December 6, and it was greeted with apathy, TV3 learns.