Ban plastics to improve sanitation – Dep Min.

If sanitation-related problems confronting Ghanaians will be reduced drastically, then there is the need to ban the use of plastics in Ghana, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Vincent Asamoah has suggested.

According to him, although the ban will affect businesses of some persons in the society, it is the ultimate interest of the entire nation that must be taken into consideration.

“On the issue of plastics, I think there should be a bipartisan approach, even though economically some people’s livelihoods are based on the production of polyethene bags, but looking at the other side of it, I think we have to take steps,” he explained at the launch of the week-long 10th anniversary celebration of the Accra Zone of Zoomlion Ghana Limited.

“If we can ban the usage of polyethene, it is going to remarkably improve the sanitation situation in the country.”

He also called for the enforcement of bye-laws on sanitation, saying: “More sanitary inspectors will have to be recruited. Let’s start to arrest and prosecute them. Laws without implementation, to me, don’t mean anything.”

Complaining that even the arrest of those who flouted the bye-laws was politicised, Mr. Asamoah stated: “Let us start to prosecute. Once we start to prosecute and a fine is imposed, let your party look for money to come and pay if you think the culprits belong to your party.”