The Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Sanitation and Water Resources, Hon. John Oti Bless, has urged government to introduce legislation in Parliament to establish a dedicated funding source for waste management in the country.
He made the call during a monitoring visit to Tamale in the Northern Region to assess sanitation challenges confronting the metropolis.
Hon. Oti Bless disclosed that the Committee had studied waste management practices in about eight countries, all of which have a dedicated tax component earmarked solely for sanitation. He stressed that Ghana must adopt a similar model to ensure sustainable financing for waste collection, recycling, and disposal.
“We have studied waste management practices in about eight countries, and all of them have a dedicated tax component earmarked solely for sanitation. Ghana must adopt a similar model if we are to sustainably finance waste collection, recycling, and disposal” Hon. Oti Bless said .
As part of the visit, the Committee toured the Integrated Recycling and Compost Plant (IRECOP) operated by the Jospong Group of Companies in Tamale. The Head of Quality Control and Research at IRECOP, Mr. Stephen Nuamah, conducted the team around the facility, showcasing farms where carrots, cabbage, green pepper, lettuce, maize, and fish are cultivated using organic compost produced by the plant.
“Our compost is 100 per cent organic and supports healthy crop production. This is part of our commitment to turning waste into a resource that benefits both the environment and the economy” Mr. Nuamah noted.
The Committee commended the Jospong Group for its investment in modern waste processing technology and its contribution to environmental sustainability.
Later, the delegation paid a courtesy call on the Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive, Hon. Alhaji Adam Abubakari Takoro, who briefed them on ongoing sanitation initiatives in the metropolis.
“We are implementing measures in line with directives from President John Dramani Mahama to improve sanitation and keep Tamale clean,” the MCE said.
Hon. Oti Bless reaffirmed the Committee’s resolve to work with stakeholders to develop a robust legal and financial framework for effective waste management nationwide.
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