{
  "id": 6584202,
  "title": "MMDAs must take responsibility for sanitation – Mahama Ayariga",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/mmdas-must-take-responsibility-for-sanitation-mahama-ayariga",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-10T11:30:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/mmdas-must-take-responsibility-for-sanitation-mahama-ayariga/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Minister for Local Government, Mahama Ayariga, is urging Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to take more responsibility for sanitation management within their respective areas. Ayariga maintains that the assemblies already possess the necessary legal framework, funding, and enforcement mechanisms to address sanitation issues and should not await the creation of a dedicated sanitation authority. On September 10, Ayariga emphasized that the 261 MMDAs bear the responsibility for sanitation, and they have the authority to hire sanitation workers, collect property and sanitation rates, and enforce pertinent bylaws. He called on the MMDAs to utilize these powers effectively to tackle sanitation challenges in their communities. Ayariga stated that the assemblies are accountable for sanitation in their jurisdictions and must make full use of the powers at their disposal. While he remains open to discussing the idea of a sanitation authority, he stressed that its establishment should not serve as a justification for MMDAs to bypass their existing duties.",
  "summary": "Minister for Local Government, Mahama Ayariga, says he will push Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to take greater responsibility for sanitation management in their respective jurisdictions.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}