Ghana Clean Environment Confab: Enforcement of laws mustn’t target only the vulnerable – Julius Debrah
Chief of Staff Julius Debrah has called for stronger accountability and consistent enforcement of environmental and sanitation laws to improve cleanliness and protect communities across Ghana.
Speaking at the Ghana Sanitation and Clean Environment Conference held at the Cedi Conference Centre, University of Ghana, on Friday, August 21, 2026, Debrah said sanitation efforts must be backed by clear targets, assigned responsibilities and measurable results.
“What we measure, we can manage; and what we assign, we must hold people accountable for,” he stated.
According to him,the government’s approach includes the introduction of sanitation indicators into the performance framework for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), as well as the Cleanest City Award to encourage assemblies to improve their sanitation standards.
Debrah also urged authorities to enforce environmental laws against practices that put public health and safety at risk.
He warned against indiscriminate punishment which targets the vulnerable and favour the elite.
“Enforcement must be firm, fair and consistent. Rules applied only occasionally, or only to those without influence, will not change behaviour,” he said.
The Chief of Staff stressed that enforcement must be applied without fear or favour, arguing that selective enforcement would undermine efforts to change public behaviour.
Debrah further noted that the recent floods had highlighted the dangers posed by blocked waterways and poor sanitation practices.
He also urged citizens, businesses, traditional leaders and other stakeholders to take responsibility for maintaining a clean environment.
“Cleanliness must therefore be everyone’s business,” he stressed, adding that government alone could not achieve a cleaner Ghana.
His comments come amid growing concerns over sanitation, flooding and the obstruction of waterways in parts of the country.
The Clean Conference is a high-level national dialogue organized by Ignite Media Group.
It brings together government officials, traditional leaders, and environmental experts to evaluate Ghana’s progress and roadmap toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, with a strong focus on sanitation, environmental health, and sustainable development.
Discover more from Today Ghana
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Ghana Clean Environment Confab: ‘Indiscriminate dumping cannot be tolerated’ – Julius Debrah 
Ghana Clean Environment Confab: ‘A clean nation isn’t a cosmetic mission’ – Julius Debrah 
South Africa: Migration issues cannot be solved through vigilantism – Mahama 
Anti-poaching patrol ends in tragedy at Kakum Forest Reserve 
Discipline must begin at home, not just in schools – Dr. Apaak charges parents to help fight indiscipline 
Mother tongue is key to early learning – Dr. Apaak urges parents to teach children in local languages 
Ghana Clean Environment Confab: Enforcement of laws mustn’t target only the vulnerable – Julius Debrah 
Some people earned GHc2000 for years before rising – Daniel Mckorley writes 