Following your nomination as Minister-Designate and subsequent successful vetting, Damak Sanitation Health Watch-Ghana extends its heartfelt congratulations to you, Hon. Ibrahim Mutala Mohammed, Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology.
Your outstanding performance during the vetting process leaves no doubt about your preparedness to transform the sector. Your presentation underscored your commitment to sustainable development and provided a blueprint for engaging Ghanaians in protecting their natural heritage.
Damak Sanitation Health Watch-Ghana, a non-governmental organization formed by journalists in the Ashanti Region, is committed to facilitating enhanced and innovative measures to address sanitation challenges.
Over the years, the NGO have advocated for a holistic approach to environmental issues. We believe challenges such as deforestation, land degradation, pollution, and waste management cannot be resolved in isolation but require a cohesive strategy that marries economic growth with environmental stewardship.
Mr. Minister, your willingness to engage stakeholders on the importation of plastic products into the country is commendable.
Your swift and thoughtful response to questions from the vetting committee, including your emphasis on collaboration with government agencies, private sector players, and civil society, is a welcome step toward promoting economic vitality and ecological sustainability.
However, many past approaches to resolving environmental challenges, including legal interventions, have failed. Our findings point to weak laws, lack of education, and improper waste management as key barriers.
Strengthening Sanitation Governance
We urge you, Mr. Minister, to prioritize strengthening the sanitation legal framework by introducing stiffer penalties for offenders, improving public education through awareness campaigns, and enhancing waste management systems. Given the delays in resolving sanitation-related cases, we propose the establishment of a separate sanitation court to expedite judgment on such issues.
Introducing Innovative Approaches
Many countries are adopting modern and innovative sanitation strategies, yielding positive results. Unfortunately, despite significant investments in Ghana’s sanitation sector, we continue to face challenges.
Child Involvement in Sanitation Advocacy:
Damak Sanitation Health Watch proposes a child-led approach to tackling sanitation challenges. We believe involving children will foster long-term positive change. Children are not just future leaders but powerful advocates for change today. By engaging them in sanitation initiatives, we foster responsibility and equip them with essential knowledge and skills for a resilient future.
Below are three strategic measures for enhancing child involvement in sanitation efforts:
1. Integrating Sanitation Education into the Curriculum
To cultivate a culture of hygiene and sanitation from a young age, we recommend integrating relevant topics into the national curriculum across educational levels. Schools should include modules on sanitation, waste management, and environmental conservation. Creative teaching methods, such as project-based learning and interactive workshops, will help students internalize good sanitation practices.
2. Creating Youth-Led Sanitation Advocacy Groups
Establishing youth-led advocacy groups can amplify children’s voices in sanitation discourse. These groups can participate in policy discussions, campaigns, and community clean-up initiatives. By providing training in leadership and communication, the Ministry can empower children to drive their own sanitation projects and become ambassadors for change.
3. Promoting Community Engagement and Initiatives
Encouraging children to partake in community-based sanitation projects can bridge the gap between education and practical application. Organizing clean-up drives and recycling programs will instill civic responsibility and environmental consciousness.
We have already taken steps toward this initiative and look forward to collaborating with you as you assume office as the Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology.
Congratulations once again.
Signed:
Executive Director
Daniel Abugri
Damak Sanitation Health Watch-Ghana
