Stop Misusing Sanitation Levy – Kofi Ahenkora Marfo Warns Government
Member of Parliament for Achiase Constituency, Kofi Ahenkora Marfo, has strongly criticized the government over the alleged misuse of Ghana’s sanitation levy. According to him, the funds collected under the sanitation levy are not reflecting in the country’s environmental and public health outcomes, raising serious concerns about transparency, accountability, and governance.
Marfo, who spoke during a media interaction, did not mince words. “The streets of Accra, Kumasi, and many other towns are filled with filth, yet Ghanaians continue to pay a sanitation levy every time they purchase goods and services. What exactly is this money being used for?” he questioned. His remarks have ignited fresh debate on the effectiveness of the government’s sanitation initiatives and the overall credibility of how the levy is being managed.
Mismanagement of Sanitation Levy in Ghana Hurts Public Health and Trust
The sanitation levy, introduced as part of the COVID-19 Health Recovery Levy, was intended to boost funding for better waste disposal systems, public sanitation infrastructure, and environmental hygiene. However, years into its implementation, many Ghanaians say they have seen little to no improvements in the sanitation landscape. Overflowing garbage bins, choked drains, and increasing cases of sanitation-related diseases continue to plague communities across the country.
“Citizens are doing their part by paying this levy; the government must do its part by showing us where the money is going,” Marfo stated firmly. He called for an independent audit of the sanitation levy account and demanded that the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources publicly disclose how the funds have been allocated and spent.
Public health experts and environmental groups have also raised alarms over the situation. They argue that poor sanitation isn’t just an eyesore—it’s a ticking health time bomb. Cholera, typhoid, and malaria remain persistent threats, especially in low-income areas where waste collection is irregular or nonexistent.
Marfo insists that the current sanitation crisis is not due to a lack of resources, but rather the misuse and mismanagement of available funds. He emphasized that development cannot thrive in an environment filled with filth, and that the sanitation levy should be a tool for progress—not another avenue for financial wastage.
“The government must stop treating sanitation as an afterthought. Every cedi collected under this levy must count. We can’t afford to play politics with public health,” Marfo warned.
Civil society organizations are now joining the call for legislative oversight and better community involvement in decision-making around sanitation. Many believe that only through consistent pressure and systemic reform can Ghana truly address its deep-rooted sanitation issues.
As Ghana aims to meet the Sustainable Development Goals—particularly SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation—the pressure is mounting on leaders to deliver measurable results. The message is clear: Ghanaians want clean cities, safe neighborhoods, and above all, accountability for every levy they pay.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0