Southern Sudanese Mayor on visit to Ghana

Accra, Sept. 26, GNA - Mr Mohamed Elhaj Baballa Luaha, Mayor of Juba City Council in Southern Sudan, on Monday called on Ghana's Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo in Accra. Mr Luaha is on a visit to Ghana to learn the country's experience an= d seek expertise on garbage collection and waste management in the country. He said as a newly independent country, they were much concerned about the image of their cities therefore, it was important to seek advice from experienced African countries.

"Our cities need to be clean, organised and beautified to attract foreign investors into the country," he added. Mr Luaha explained that during the visit he would dialogue with and partner the management of Zoomlion to assist in collecting garbage and wast= e management in Southern Sudan.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said garbage collection and waste management were important to the development of every city and therefore important to adopt drastic measures to solve them.

He said there was the need to adopt and enforce strong bye-laws to guide the new government in the development of the cities, especially well demarcated and layout in the cities.

"Establish clear criteria for garbage collection and ensure that it is done in a well coordinated manner and as planned. Anyone who contravenes th= e bye-laws must be punished by the law," he added. Mr Ofosu-Ampofo explained that Ghana had adopted a public private sector approach towards managing waste and had actually led to the current sanitation level in the country.

He urged the new government to adopt scientific measures of disposal such as compost plant and recycling of waste to enable them to use the garbage for other secondary productions.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo gave the assurance of government's readiness to supp= ort Southern Sudan in capacity building and sharpening of skills for personnel in waste management.