Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, spokesperson for the National Chief Imam of Ghana, has urged a change in mindset among citizens as part of efforts to address the country’s persistent sanitation challenges. He stressed that maintaining a clean environment should not be left solely to the government, but must involve individuals and communities taking responsibility for their surroundings.
Speaking at the Clean Conference held at the Cedi Conference Hall, University of Ghana, Legon, on Friday, August 21, Sheikh Aremeyaw warned that poor sanitation poses serious health, economic, and environmental risks. “After almost 70 years of independence, it must be disturbing for all of us that sanitation remains one of the major problems plaguing our dear nation,” he said.
He identified poor waste disposal, plastic pollution, open defecation, contamination of water bodies, and dumping refuse into gutters as practices worsening the crisis. According to him, these practices contribute to ill health and place an unnecessary financial burden on the state through the treatment of preventable diseases.
“Ill health, that makes the nation unproductive. For a nation to produce, it needs citizenry that is healthy,” he said. Sheikh Aremeyaw also warned that poor sanitation could undermine Ghana’s tourism potential, arguing that the country’s environmental conditions could either attract or discourage visitors.
“What is it that attracts people to Ghana? And what is it that can drive them away, by all of our tourism potential?” he asked. Cleanliness starts with the mind. The spokesperson said the fight against poor sanitation must begin with how children are raised and how citizens understand their responsibility towards the environment.
“The mind and the spirit that appreciates beauty does not destroy, and does not accept and embrace filth and squalor. And so therefore, this fight must begin in the mind as we bring up our children and citizenry,” he said.
He urged Ghanaians to develop a culture where littering and other forms of environmental abuse are not tolerated.
“Let’s build a mindset of cleanliness and environmental consciousness among citizenry, and this must be a collective responsibility,” he said.
Sheikh Aremeyaw further drew on Islamic teachings to reinforce his call, saying cleanliness is closely linked to faith.
“Al-nazafah min al-iman,” he said, explaining that cleanliness is part of faith.
He said Muslims who are conscious of their faith should avoid littering and open defecation and should support efforts to keep the country clean.
He also warned against practices that contaminate water sources, saying they can endanger people living downstream.
“When you go upstream and you ease yourself, so therefore you contaminate water for those who live downstream. You endanger their lives. It’s a spiritual responsibility and a social responsibility,” he said.
Muslims ready to support sanitation efforts
Sheikh Aremeyaw pledged the support of the National Chief Imam and the Muslim community for initiatives aimed at improving sanitation and protecting Ghana’s environment.
“My assurance is in the light of the Habib, we as Muslims, and indeed I want to stretch it to all other people of different faith, we must be ready to partner with the Ignite group to improve sanitation and protect our environment for development and health on a sustainable basis,” he said.
He also conveyed greetings from the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, and said the Chief Imam would be willing to support efforts to mobilise Muslims for sanitation campaigns.
“I will speak to him or for him, mobilize our people, and when we are invited, we will, for emphasis, participate and ensure that we have a country that’s so worthy of all tourists who come to see the beauty of our country,” he said.
The maiden edition of the Clean Conference was organised by Ignite Media Group, parent company of Metro TV, Original TV and Original 91.9 FM.
The conference brought together policymakers, environmental experts, academics, development practitioners and private-sector leaders to discuss Ghana’s progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and ways to improve sanitation, environmental protection and climate resilience.
Source: Bernard Ralph Adams
