The Government of Ghana has officially relaunched the National Sanitation Day (NSD), calling on citizens, assemblies, civil society, and the private sector to unite in tackling the country’s sanitation challenges.
Speaking at the launch at the Institute of Local Government Studies in Madina, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim (MP), said the initiative, first introduced in 2014, is being reintroduced to restore discipline, health, and dignity to Ghana’s public spaces.
He emphasized that sanitation remains a national priority due to the devastating impact of poor waste management, indiscriminate dumping, and weak enforcement of bye-laws, which have led to outbreaks of cholera, malaria, and flooding.
“The re-introduction of the NSD is a renewed social contract between government and citizens, anchored on accountability, enforcement, and sustainability,” the Minister stated.
The new NSD framework will be observed on the first Saturday of every month across all 16 regions and 261 districts, with a strong focus on behavioural change, waste segregation, recycling, and strict enforcement of sanitation regulations.
To strengthen accountability, the Ministry announced the creation of a dedicated sanitation hotline for citizens to report nuisances, a central dashboard to track assemblies’ performance, and monthly reporting obligations by assemblies to their Regional Coordinating Councils.
Hon. Ibrahim called on traditional authorities, religious leaders, and the youth to play active roles in mobilizing communities for cleanup activities. He also urged the media to continue highlighting sanitation issues and celebrating positive efforts.
“We can no longer tolerate the menace of filth and environmental pollution,” he stressed, urging every Ghanaian to participate actively. “Together, we can build a cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous Ghana.”
The President of the Republic, John Dramani Mahama, graced the event, reaffirming government’s commitment to ensuring clean cities and sustainable environmental practices.
