Ekumfi District Assembly Enhances Sanitation Efforts and Champions Climate Action for a Cleaner Ghana

The Ekumfi District Assembly in Central Region is taking big steps to enhance sanitation, recognizing its importance for public health and climate change. Clean environments are crucial for our well-being and the planet.

To make sanitation a community effort, the Assembly has mandated waste management for all local residents and organizations. In rural Ghana, common practices like burning waste or dumping it in open areas not only harm health but also contribute to climate issues, releasing methane gas. The use of firewood for cooking also adds stress to the environment, leading to increased deforestation.

Interestingly, while global fossil fuel usage is the top cause of greenhouse gases, emissions from waste are growing quickly in Africa. A 2021 report from the Observatory of Climate Action in Africa revealed that waste contributed to around 8% of the continent’s greenhouse gas emissions, mainly from how we manage solid waste and wastewater.

The District Chief Executive, Mr. Ismail Nana Asamoah, shared some local initiatives. Waste bins have been strategically placed across the area, and skip trucks are now actively collecting garbage. The Environmental Health and Sanitation Unit, alongside the Health Directorate, is regularly engaging with the community to ensure proper waste disposal.

Additionally, the Assembly is pushing for waste segregation and recycling, aiming to cut down on landfill waste and harmful emissions. They support households with a project to install improved toilets, which helps minimize liquid waste entering local waterways.

Enforcement is another critical part of the plan. About 20 people have faced legal action for littering, maintaining unsanitary backyards, and selling food without health permits.

To address the reliance on firewood for cooking, over 2,000 improved coal pots (locally known as Agyapa) have been provided to families, with plans for an extra 3,000. This initiative seeks to reduce both smoke emissions and the need for firewood.

“Sanitation in Ekumfi has come a long way,” Mr. Asamoah noted. He mentioned that residents are becoming more aware of the link between good sanitation and environmental health.

It’s clear that healthier cleaning habits can foster a more sustainable future, and the community’s participation is essential. Clean surroundings aren’t just for show; they protect our health and support our planet’s future.

For further insights on waste management and climate change in Africa, you can refer to the Observatory of Climate Action in Africa.

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Central Region