Ghana’s worsening sanitation issues may soon get a dedicated funding boost as the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has proposed a Sanitation Fund supported by a new levy.
Speaking on the matter, Mr. Ibrahim emphasized that “creating a fund means instituting a tax,” highlighting the critical need for sustainable financial backing to address the country’s waste management challenges.
The levy, set to be discussed in Parliament, aims to ensure a stable revenue source for improving waste collection, public cleanliness, and sanitation infrastructure.
A 2023 World Bank report revealed that only 21% of Ghanaians have access to improved sanitation facilities, with poor hygiene contributing to over 17,000 deaths annually. Additionally, Ghana generates around 1.1 million metric tons of plastic waste yearly, but only 5% is properly recycled, leading to clogged drains, flooding, and health risks.
If passed, the policy could transform Ghana’s waste management landscape, mirroring successful models like Rwanda’s, where strong sanitation policies and financial investments have led to a 90% waste collection rate in Kigali.
