I’ve always maintained the position that Ghana is a very dirty country, perhaps being on top of the imaginary list of Africa’s Dirtiest Countries I’ve created; and every right thinking Ghanaian or non-Ghanaian resident will attest to this statement even though it does not put the country in a positive light.
From the numerous streets to the homes (including bedrooms) of many Ghanaians, the most visible thing one is sure to come across is heaps of garbage. It’s so ill-fated that most Ghanaians do not realize how such filth can cause real teething troubles. A clear example is the massive June 3rd flood that caused the death of several innocent and guilty Ghanaians.
Even before the deluge, several individuals had lost their precious lives through cholera, a malady that has totally lost standing in some countries. In my recent photo report, I was dumbfounded to have come across waste materials comfortably seeking shelter in open gutters. Interestingly, these gutters were either behind the homes or eateries of people who count themselves among human beings. Even though such ‘borla’ in the city is visible everywhere in the country, no measures have been put in place to do away with it.
The only question that comes to mind is; whose responsibility is it to keep Ghana clean?
Undisciplined Citizens
Each and every one of us has a major role to play in keeping the country unpolluted from disproportionate filth. Conversely, this is not the case in Ghana where indiscipline is deeply ingrained in the citizens; from the ‘commoner’ roving on the street to the countless educated illiterates who can only boast of the number of certificates and titles they’ve acquired but not how they’ve positively impacted their various communities and country.
It’s not a new thing to spot more than a few Ghanaians freely dropping sachet water rubbers, papers, and other forms of waste materials in gutters or wherever they consider it applicable to do so.
This ‘communicable’ canker has gone on for far too long, to the point that numerous individuals see nothing wrong with such act.
Woe betides you if you dare instruct a person to pick up a rubber he/she threw in a gutter. You ought to shout hallelujah that day if you do not ‘meet your meeter’ (sic) at that particular moment.
This puts the few disciplined residents who can act as watchdogs over their neighbors in fear. In that case, majority of the citizens who lack conscience are at liberty to do whatever they want; taking such indiscipline act to a whole new level.
Irresponsible Government
I’m not in any way directing all the culpability at the topsy-turvy Ghanaians who contribute to the filthiness of this country. By now, we all need to comprehend that the country had had irresponsible government officials who in the past served in various offices. The status quo is still the same; and will continue to be the same if we do not appoint or elect selfless and firm individuals who will make sure that the right things are done in spite of the challenges they’ll face.
As it stands, the country is on cruise control; the outcome of irresponsible governance.
I had a short discussion with my former university lecturer a day after the demise of over 200 people who lost their lives as a result of the flood. According to him, our inability as citizens to obey rules and laws leads to human disasters. He was quick to add that, governments can only rule if the governed are prepared to be governed.
To me, that was below the belt so I made him understand that the inability of the governments to enforce strict laws give room for the citizens to do whatever they like.
We live in a country where our laws are so weak, to the point that anybody can break it and go scot-free.
For a moment, let’s assume Ghanaians are willing not to throw garbage around again. They are now prepared to drop any waste material in a refuse bin. Where are the bins? One may ask.
One of the things I promised myself to do when in basic school was to keep the country clean by not littering. By kind courtesy of a disciplined classmate (Caroline) I had, I was able to abide by this promise; even till now. I often keep sachet water rubbers in my bag till I get home or come across a refuse bin before I throw them away.
Honestly, it’s very tough to come across refuse bins provided by the government (in this case Metropolitan and Municipal Assemblies) in towns, including lorry stations. How long can people keep garbage in their possession? In the long-run, they will throw the garbage anywhere.
In organized countries, refuse bins are not scarce commodities. However, it’s more than scarce in a country that has been crawling for 58 years; struggling to stand on its feet.
Each and every one of us has a responsibility of making sure that the things are done right but until we get a responsible government who will rule over discipline citizens, Ghana will continue to be a botched state.
If you think otherwise, let me know.