The minister visited the homes of beneficiaries of the project in the Ga South Municipal Assembly area yesterday (Thursday).

He interacted with some of these beneficiaries on how the affordable toilet facilities have benefitted them and improved the sanitation situation in their communities.

One of the beneficiaries said, “the affordable toilet facility is such a relief. We no longer go through the frustrations we used to encounter just to answer to nature’s call. The only challenge is that we don’t have constant running water for flushing the toilets. But overall I would encourage everyone in the area to get one for themselves too”

The Minister, responding to the water concerns some of these beneficiaries raised said: ‘We want to assure them that government is doing everything to make sure we extend the facility. Now at least we have some capacity, all we need to do is to extend the water system so that it gets to households.”

“Be that as it may, this is better than queuing all day and night with our women being exposed to all the risks [of using the public toilet].”

He added that for public schools along the GAMA area, 260 institutional facilities would be built so that the students in these establishments can benefit as well.

Background

The GAMA Sanitation and water project is a $150 million endeavour sponsored by the World Bank in collaboration with the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources to help lower income level communities have access to affordable toilet and water facilities.

Rates for toilets

Beneficiary households would be expected to pay GHc 1, 100 for a complete facility which includes the structure, a toilet seat, a wash hand basin and a bio-digester.

For those with already existing structures the package would cost GHc 600, and if one required just the bio-digester, GHc 500.

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By: Michael Ogbodu/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The launch was held yesterday (Thursday) January 25, 2018 at Mallam junction in Accra.

The GAMA Sanitation and water project is a $150 million endeavour sponsored by the World Bank with the collaboration of the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources to help lower income level communities have access to affordable toilet and water facilities.

The launch had in attendance, the deputy Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Michael Gyato, the Ga South Municipal Chief Executive Joseph Nyarni Stephen, the Member of Parliament for Weija-Gbawe Constituency who doubles as Deputy Health Minister Tina Mensah  as well as chiefs and pupils from the various schools in the community.

The Ga South MCE, in his welcome address, expressed his sincerest gratitude to the sector minister for choosing to launch in project in his municipality.

He added that this year his municipality would begin a vigorous enforcement of its by-laws on sanitation which include the presence of toilet facilities in various homes.

He further entreated all citizens to endeavour to take advantage of the project to acquire toilet facilities in order to ensure a clean environment within the municipality.

The Weija-Gbawe MP, Tina Mensah iterated the need for everyone to have a toilet facility in their homes to prevent the various illnesses associated with the open defecation.

She quoted some statistics on open defecation in the country noting the immense work and commitment necessary to ensure the problem is addressed.

In conclusion she pledged her ministry’s support to the president’s vision of making Accra the cleanest city in Africa.

The deputy Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Michael Gyato in an address read on behalf of the sector minister, Kofi Adda, reiterated government’s commitment to ridding the capital of filth.

According to him, “as part of measures by government of Ghana to improve sanitation in the country, his Excellency Nana Akufo-Addo, the president of Ghana, created a new ministry to focus on transforming the sanitation development agenda and mobilize tremendous resources towards achieving sanitation and water for all. I am elated to announce to you that the ministry has development a comprehensive strategic plan to address the sanitation menace facing the country. Excerpts from this program were outlined during the launch of national sanitation campaign in November 2017. Ghana is currently ranked 7th worst in the world for access to improved sanitation according to the world health organization and UNCEF, GNPA 2015.”

“Statistics indicate that about one out of every five Ghanaian defecate in the open. This translates to a whooping five million Ghanaians engage in open defecation. In addition about 7% of the urban population practice open defecation and this is no doubt unacceptable in this day and age and we collectively need to take urgent action… an estimated 19,500 household toilets will be constructed in the GAMA area under the GAMA sanitation project… The ministry has mobilized large scale toilet suppliers to facilitate the speedy construction of these facilities. Furthermore financing options are being arranged with selected financial institutions to provide loans to interested households,” he added.

Rates for toilets

Beneficiary households would be expected to pay GHc 1, 100 for a complete facility which includes the structure, a toilet seat, a wash hand basin and a bio-digester.

For those with already existing structures, the package would cost GHc 600, and if one required just the bio-digester, GHc500.

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By: Michael Ogbodu/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Sanitation Ministry launches GAMA toilet project appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The committees, which comprises representatives from the various markets, public health and waste management officers from AMA, and representatives of accredited waste management companies for the areas the markets are located, have been tasked to generate fees to be collected for waste collection in the markets, and to ensure the efficient collection of waste in their various markets among others.

The post AMA inaugurates committee to tackle market filth appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Robert Kwaku Adjei, the Environmental Sanitation Manager of Zoomlion in an interview with Citi News on Monday, expressed worry about the worsening insanitary conditions in the country, and called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to embark on a vigorous  education campaign on the environment.

[contextly_sidebar id=”5uPaZ72uYqnirNbjQnt45E1TSqPtG4aa”]Speaking on the sidelines of the world environment day celebration held at Kyebi in the Eastern Region, he said “the current state of sanitation in this country is not encouraging and if care is not taken it will go out of hands.”

“The Environmental Protection Agency is doing a great job, but they need to consciously continuously embark on series of public education through the mass media and inform and educate Ghanaians on what is expected of them to do and what not to do.”

Mr. Adjei added that, “We believe the current government is working to solve the sanitation issues in the country, I am aware they have dedicated a ministry purposely to deal with sanitation, and I am also aware they are putting in place policies and strategies to do the work.

“We at Zoomlion support the President’s decision to make Accra the cleanest city in Africa, and we are ready to work in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency to see to it.”

The Sanitation Manager stated that, his outfit, Zoomlion, is well-resourced with equipment and human personnel, and is ready to support government’s policies and strategies to make Accra the cleanest city.

“My institution is well-resourced, we have the tools, machinery, necessary logistics and equipment, and the men to work tirelessly to ensure Ghana is clean.”

Law enforcement

Mr. Robert Kwaku Adjei, however called on the government to enforce all sanitation laws in the country to serve as a deterrent  to citizens.

“The way forward to keep the environment clean is for the government to enforce all the sanitary laws in this country. We have sanitation laws, and if government empowers the agencies who are responsible for enforcing these laws it will deter the citizenry not to litter and dump refuse indiscriminately.”

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By: Neil Nii Amatey Kanarku/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post We will work with EPA to make Accra clean again – Zoomlion appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The England international has entered the final 12 months of his current deal at the Etihad Stadium.

Four years at City have delivered two Premier League titles and successes in FA Cup and League Cup competition.

Milner admits his preference would be to remain with the reigning English champions and compete for more major honours, but he has warned that he needs to be playing in order to commit.

The versatile 28-year-old said: “Basically, I want to be here – as long as I’m playing.

“I love it here and hopefully I can be here for a long time to come. But that’s determined on how much football I get. I just want to feel like I’m contributing.

“I played a fair amount last year – maybe not as many in the league as I would have liked – but I felt like I contributed to the trophies I won. That’s what it’s about.

“If you win trophies and you haven’t played as much as you wanted, it can be frustrating. But that wasn’t the case last year and hopefully it won’t be this either.

“I played in important games at the end of last season, it was pleasing to help them win trophies.

“That’s what it’s all about, I want as many minutes as I can. Competition is tough, but when you get out there, you have to go and help the team.

“I’ve been here four years now. There’s big-money signings every year. You want to play against the top teams, play with the best players in the world.

“We definitely have that at City. You test yourself every single day in training.”

Retaining the Premier League crown is a top priority for Milner and City this season, but he acknowledges that the chase is likely to be closer than ever – with all of the title hopefuls having strengthened over the summer.

Milner added: “It’ll be tight, it was very competitive last year.

“I would have thought it would be close. It’s down to us to go out there and show we are the best, I suppose.”

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Source: Sky Sports

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