Bibiani, the commercial capital of the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipality in the Western North Region, continues to face sanitation challenges that require renewed attention from the authorities, residents and other stakeholders.
A clean and healthy environment is fundamental to the well-being of every community. However, the state of sanitation in parts of Bibiani raises questions about whether enough is being done to maintain the town as a clean and orderly municipality.
One issue that deserves particular attention is the availability and management of refuse containers at various locations within the town. Where such containers have been removed, residents need to know whether suitable alternatives have been provided to prevent refuse from being dumped indiscriminately.
The removal of refuse containers without an effective waste-management arrangement could create additional challenges. Residents may resort to dumping refuse along roadsides, in gutters and other unauthorised places, thereby worsening the sanitation situation.
There are also concerns about the condition of some drains and gutters in the municipality. Choked gutters can obstruct the free flow of rainwater and create conditions that may contribute to flooding, stagnant water and other public-health concerns.
The responsibility for keeping Bibiani clean, however, should not rest entirely with the municipal authorities. Residents, traders, shop owners, transport operators and other businesses must also play their part by disposing of waste responsibly and refraining from dumping refuse into drains.
At the same time, the municipal authorities must ensure that appropriate waste-management facilities are available and that waste is collected regularly. Public education and enforcement of sanitation by-laws should also be strengthened to encourage compliance.
The question of whether refuse containers have been removed therefore deserves a clear response from the relevant authorities. If they have been removed, the public should be informed about the reasons and the measures put in place to ensure that waste disposal does not become more difficult.
Bibiani deserves a sanitation system that matches its importance as a major commercial centre in the Western North Region. A clean town will not only protect public health but also improve the appearance of the municipality and create a more conducive environment for businesses and residents.
This newspaper therefore calls on the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipal Assembly, residents and all stakeholders to make sanitation a sustained priority. Keeping Bibiani clean should not be an occasional exercise; it must become a continuous responsibility supported by proper waste management, public cooperation and effective enforcement.
