Yendi Cathedral Parish holds citizen’s forum

The Justice and Peace Commission of the Yendi Cathedral Parish has held a town hall meeting in Yendi.

The meeting, which brought together various stakeholders including assembly members and the public, was to deliberate on local governance and sanitation issues in the municipality.

Bishop Vincent Sowah Boi – Nai, the Bishop of Yendi, called on the Yendi Municipal Assembly, Leadership of Justice and Peace Commission of Yendi Cathedral Parish to collaborate with the National Commission for Civic Education to launch a public education campaign on improving the sanitation situation in the municipality.

He said this should be done highlighting various concerns such as open defecation, rubbish dumps, stagnant water, E-waste, plastic waste and the need to maintain a clean environment among others.

Bishop Boi –Nai said there is also the need to change poor environmental attitudes, certain cultural beliefs of not using public toilets but free range; and the role of community participation in ensuring good sanitation should be concern of all stakeholders.

He said it is very important for the Assembly to develop plans to help curb the numerous sanitation problems in the Municipality.

Alhaji Hammed Abubakari Yussif of the Assembly said the Assembly has organized a number of town hall meetings since 2017 to sensitize the citizens and stakeholder on its programmes and policies.

He expressed his appreciation to the Yendi Cathedral Parish for the interest it has shown on sanitation adding that the theme for the event: “Improving the sanitation situation in Yendi Municipality: the role of Assembly and citizens”, is very appropriate.

Alhaji Hammed Abubakari Yussif said health, water and sanitation are the main concerns of the Assembly.

He said the Assembly has started constructing ten public toilets in the Yendi Township to curb open defecation; with 30 latrine artisans being trained by UNICEF and the Assembly.

Alhaji Yussif said it is unfortunate that people continue to throw rubbish into the gutters when rubbish containers have been placed at various points to collect them, hence the need to hold more of such interactions to improve the situation.

Mr Peter Atia, the Diocesan Justice And Peace Coordinator, said the Justice and Peace Commission is an organ of the Bishop’s Conference whose main role is to highlight societal concerns.

Mr Atia appealed to all religious bodies to get involved in improving the sanitation situation in the municipality.