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The National Sanitation Day exercise which won the hearts of majority of people including; people from the various political divide, is now registering very low patronages due to the needless politicization of the exercise.

The development has been a source of worry to the Communications Manager and Manager in charge of Accra Zone and Domestic Waste of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Mr. Robert Coleman, who has seized the opportunity to condemn the politicization of the whole exercise.

Robert Coleman said filth and communicable diseases did not affect selected people from political parties but affected all, irrespective of political affiliations; hence the stance taken by people especially top political actors from the various political divide to kill the spirit is “needless.”

Robert Coleman was speaking in an exclusive interview with this paper when he poured out his disappointment in politicians for seemingly abandoning the once accepted exercise which attracted all.

The first Saturday of every month is earmarked National Sanitation Day across Ghana.

President John Dramani Mahama on November 1, 2014 declared every first Saturday of the month to mark the National Sanitation Day in response to the 2014 Ghanaian cholera outbreak.

The day is to be used for a voluntary clean-up exercise for all Ghanaian residents in an effort to reduce unsanitary conditions that breed diseases and causes injuries.

Meanwhile, a bill was recently sent to parliament by the ministry for approval which will give legal backing to the National Sanitation Day programme and making individuals who refuse to take part in the program liable for prosecution.

It was through all these development Zoomlion Ghana Limited imported equipment’s and trucks to the Municipal and District Assemblies in the country to support the exercise. 

According to Robert Coleman, the bill must be promulgated to law to ensure effective implementation of the exercise.

The Municipal Assembly, he indicated must also enforce its by-laws in the absence of the Sanitation Law to ensure participation.

He said the need for such bye-law had become necessary following the experiences and observations over the period as regards low patronage.

According to Robert Coleman the Sanitation Day Exercise must not be government driven but must be initiated by the citizenry through attitudinal change and commitment.

He said sensitization, commitment, involvement and massive participation of all the citizenry, was imperative to make the exercise succeed.

Robert Coleman also charged the Municipal Assembly to use their resources to engage the youth of the area periodically for the exercise.

The National Sanitation Day (NSD) was declared by Mr. Julius Debrah, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development.

The day was set on the first day in November, giving birth to a national clean-up exercise on every first Saturday of the month, which entered its second phase in December.

The first and second day observation of the NSD attracted high profile personalities like President John Dramani Mahama, Ministers of State, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene and stakeholders like, Zoomlion, a sanitation management organisation, the security services, national service personnel and students.

The plan was also to remove heaps of garbage at all refuse dumping sites across the country, especially in Accra and other commercial cities, and to educate people on the separation of paper, plastic and liquid waste.

He called on the media and other stakeholders to partner the ministry in executing the action plan to promote a clean environment and development in all sectors of Ghana’s growing economy.

As part of his zeal towards the National Sanitation Day, he met with the Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharabutu and made him an Ambassador of Sanitation campaign.

Meanwhile, the spirit with which the exercise was started is gradually dwindling.

Robert Coleman is therefore appealing to Hon Julius Debrah who initiated the exercise to see it as his brain child and see it sustainability and effective participation.