Dangbe East DCE outlines sanitation policy

Ada (GAR), July 18, GNA - The Environmental Health unit of Dangbe East District Assembly, is revamping its operations in line with President John Atta Mills vision of promoting environmental cleanliness in all urban communities to reduce communicable diseases. The unit would also inspect all newly constructed premises especially government bungalows in a bid to re-introduce the certificate of occupancy.

Mr. Daniel Wusah, District Chief Executive made this known at Ada on Friday when he addressed the Greater Accra conference of the Environmental Health Officers Association, on the theme: "A healthy environment, a responsibility of all."

He said the assembly would intensify hygiene education to rekindle the communal spirit of the people to combat poor sanitation practices to avoid littering and the disposal of solid and liquid waste at public places.

Mr. Wusah said the assembly would also distribute refuse containers to all operators in the hospitality industry and establish Environmental Watchdog Committee to ensure strict compliance of sanitation laws. The Assembly was also initiating a programme to promote low cost latrine technology that would be appropriate and affordable to the people.

Mr. Edward Aganabuya Mba, National President of the Association urged the government to develop the capacities of health officers to help them meet the rapid technological advancement and complexity in the production of goods and services and manage waste generated. He said the theme for the celebration was appropriate in regard to the recent floods in Accra and other parts of the country. Mr. Mba said the biggest challenge rested on the hands of the people and how they perceived issues of sanitation within their communities.

"At this time and age we do not need to be told not to dump refuse into drains and to build houses on waterways and not to defecate indiscriminately or discharge untreated industrial waste to pollute the environment," he said.

"Blaming population growth as the causes of our failures to cope with sanitation situation is not acceptable", he stressed. The District Assistant Co-ordinating Director, Ms Humratu Abdulai, advised the assembly health officials to work effectively to make the district clean at all times.