National Chief Imam’s Spokesperson Calls for Mindset Change to Tackle Sanitation Crisis

The official spokesperson for the National Chief Imam of Ghana, Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, has called for a change in mindset among Ghanaians as part of efforts to tackle the country’s persistent sanitation challenges.

He said maintaining a clean environment should not be left to government alone, stressing that individuals and communities must take responsibility for their surroundings.

Speaking at the Clean Conference at the Cedi Conference Hall of the University of Ghana, Legon, on Friday, August 21, Sheikh Aremeyaw said the sanitation crisis poses serious health, economic and environmental risks to the country.

“After almost 70 years of independence, it must be disturbing for all of us that sanitation remains one of the major, major problems plaguing our dear nation,” he said.

He cited poor disposal of industrial and domestic waste, plastic pollution, open defecation, contamination of water bodies, and the dumping of waste in gutters as some of the practices worsening the situation.

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 potentials?” 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 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.