Local Govt Minister urges chiefs to own NSD exercise

Alhaji Collins Dauda, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, has called on chiefs to own and support the National Sanitation Day (NSD) exercise instituted to promote environmental sanitation.

He said the exercise was initiated by his sector ministry to invigorate the spirit of communal labour into the citizenry and for chiefs and other traditional authorities who in the past championed and promoted the course of good sanitation at their localities to support the process.

Alhaji Dauda made the call when he paid a courtesy call on Naa Pelpuo Fuseini V, Wa Naa at his Palace in Wa and addressed staff of the Wa Municipal Assembly in the Upper West Region.

The NSD exercise is scheduled to take place every first Saturday of the month would be hosted by the region, on June 4. It would be the ninth edition of the national event.

The ministry has relocated its office to the region for a week as part of the exercise to bring governance to the doorstep of the grassroots and to ascertain at first hand information on what is happening at the local level. Alhaji Dauda said government is committed to provide the citizenry with basic amenities and to create an enabling environment to promote businesses and investment.

Alhaji Dauda who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Asutifi South noted that without good health, the provision of basic amenities would be meaningless.

He urged Ghanaians, especially traditional authorities, and opinion leaders, to effectively support the NSD campaign for it to achieve the desired results.

Naa Fuseini V, said sanitation is one of the key issues that must be given priority and encouragement in the various communities, to promote public and environmental health.

In a related development Alhaji Amin Amidu Sulemana, Regional Minister visited Wa West District, where he called on Naa Imoro Gomah Nandon II, Chief of Wichiau ana Adu Naa Suhiwmininye Danaa Gore, Chief of Dorimon and reiterated government commitment to adopt good sanitary practices, to prevent the outbreak of diseases in the district.

Alhaji Sulemana who is also the MP for Sissala West said the exercise is non-partisan and have to be embraced all to promote public and environmental health.

He said as human beings, our survival depends on cleanliness which is known to be Godliness and that the exercise must be encouraged and given the needed attention to succeed.

Naa Nandon II pledged to support the exercise by mobilising his people to become the leaders in the exercise.

Naa Gore also assured the minister of putting down tradition and come out in his farm regalia to lead the exercise to the higher level as chiefs have been portrayed as owners of the exercise.

The MP for Wichiau, Mr Joseph Yeli Chire, the District Chief Executive for Wa West Mr Dasanaa N. S. Adamu and the Wa Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Issahaku Nuhu Putiha all pledged their support for the exercise to make it successful.