A Plus, the Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, has strongly criticized the government’s handling of the Sanitation and Pollution Levy, calling out the lack of progress despite the millions of cedis generated from the levy.
In a recent Facebook post, A Plus highlighted that the Sanitation and Pollution Levy, introduced in 2021, was supposed to address the country’s worsening sanitation issues.
The levy charges 10 pesewas per litre of fuel consumed, and in the years since its implementation, it has generated a total of GHS 1.93 billion. However, A Plus argues that this money has not been effectively used to improve sanitation across the country.
“The streets are still filthy, waste collection remains unreliable, and open dumping continues,” A Plus wrote, pointing out that the promised improvements are nowhere to be seen.
He also mentioned that an investigation revealed that a significant portion of the funds was disbursed to Sewerage Systems GH Ltd, a subsidiary of the Jospong Group, but the public has seen no evidence of meaningful work done.
He also recalled how, under the previous administration, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, the current Attorney General, allegedly manipulated the drafting of the law to benefit close associates, including those involved in the sanitation sector.
“The system is set up to create, loot, and share,” A Plus declared, further accusing the same network of trying to expand this problematic revenue stream.
A Plus called for a more decentralized waste management system that would empower local governments and communities to take control of their own sanitation efforts.
He emphasized that if the GHS 1.93 billion collected from the levy had been distributed equitably across the country’s districts, each district would have received over GHS 2.4 million annually.
This, he argued, could have been used to create jobs and support young entrepreneurs in the sanitation sector, rather than continuing the current system that has enriched a select few.
“The people of Ghana are no longer asleep,” A Plus stated, urging the government to take action that would benefit the citizens, not just a few elites.
He condemned the government’s failure to hold those responsible for the mishandling of funds accountable and questioned whether an increase in the levy was justified.
In conclusion, A Plus reaffirmed that his call was not about party politics, but about fairness, accountability, and ensuring that Ghana’s resources are used to benefit the people.
He expressed his frustration with the state of the country’s sanitation and vowed to continue advocating for solutions that empower the citizens.
