‘My job is to push them to work’ – Ayariga vows to make MMDAs tackle sanitation

Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has pledged to exert pressure on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to assume full responsibility for sanitation in their respective areas. Ayariga stated that the 261 assemblies already possess the necessary legal authority, funding sources, and enforcement powers to manage sanitation and should not cite the lack of a dedicated sanitation authority as a reason for inaction.

He noted that MMDAs could recruit sanitation workers, impose property and sanitation rates, enforce bylaws, and utilize resources from the District Assemblies Common Fund and internally generated revenue to tackle sanitation issues.

Addressing Citi FM on Thursday, September 10, Ayariga emphasized that the assemblies were the institutions responsible for maintaining cleanliness in their jurisdictions. He affirmed, "You are the authority. You are managing this geographical space. And yours is to make sure that it is clean. There is no vacuum in terms of institutions."

Ayariga added that the reason for MMDAs' reluctance to take action was due to a lack of external pressure, and it was his duty as minister to motivate them to work. He acknowledged the possibility of introducing a separate sanitation authority but stressed that it should not dissuade MMDAs from fulfilling their existing responsibilities.