The Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project, in collaboration with the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, has recently organized a specialized training workshop on the enforcement of sanitation regulations for frontline Environmental Health Officers in all the 17-project beneficiary Metropolitan and Municipal Assemblies (MMAs) in Accra.
The program aimed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively prosecute environmental sanitation cases, reinforcing the application of national sanitation regulations and local bylaws.
This training aligns with the GARID Project’s mandate to manage solid waste efficiently and prevent harmful environmental practices within the Greater Accra Region.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Kwadwo Ohene Sarfoh, the GARID Project Coordinator, emphasized the essential role of enforcement in improving the adoption of appropriate solid waste disposal practices by the citizenry. “It is people who dispose of waste improperly, and therefore they must face consequences. Prosecution is a powerful deterrent and a means to ensure that environmental laws are upheld,” he stated, highlighting the critical need for stricter enforcement against individuals who contravene sanitation regulations.
Facilitators at the workshop took participants through a wide range of topics including the local governance act, ethics of environmental health prosecution, criminal procedure, how to draft charge sheets, witness statements, and closing addresses.
A special moot court session was held where the participants engaged in simulating real court procedures for environmental health prosecution. This interactive session was designed to sharpen their prosecutorial skills and acquaint them with the requisite legal practices and protocols for handling sanitation cases in court. The practical aspect of the training aimed to boost their confidence and address common challenges encountered in prosecutions, ultimately preparing them to execute their roles more effectively.
Participants expressed appreciation for the opportunity to build on their skills, pledging to apply the knowledge gained to their work. Gladys Ameyaa Adjei, the Environmental Health Officer for Ayawaso Central Municipal Assembly noted, “This training has equipped us with the practical skills and legal knowledge needed to enforce sanitation laws effectively and ensure compliance in our communities. We are now better prepared to protect public health and uphold environmental standards.”
The workshop has laid the foundation for a robust network of environmental health prosecutors dedicated to holding offenders accountable, fostering a cleaner, healthier environment across the Greater Accra Region.
Through initiatives like this, the GARID Project and the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources are making significant strides in environmental sustainability, reinforcing the collective responsibility to uphold sanitation laws and maintain a cleaner, safer environment for all.