Local Government Minister Calls For Stronger Collaboration With Faith-Based Organisations

The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga, has called for stronger collaboration between Government and faith-based organisations in addressing key national development challenges.

He made the call when the leadership of the Christian Council of Ghana paid a courtesy call on him in Accra to discuss areas of mutual interest, including sanitation, the National Cathedral, education, healthcare and religious tolerance.

A major focus of the engagement was Ghana’s sanitation situation. Hon. Ayariga stressed the need for a change in attitudes towards waste management and called for greater responsibility at the household and community levels.

He advocated for waste separation at source, proposing that households have at least three dustbins to facilitate proper separation of waste.

He further called for renewed collaboration with churches in promoting sanitation and supporting efforts to revive and strengthen the National Sanitation Day initiative.

The Christian Council expressed its readiness to work with the Ministry through its Environmental Care and Cleanliness Programme and to support initiatives aimed at improving sanitation across the country.

Discussions also touched on the National Cathedral, with the Christian Council expressing its willingness to support efforts towards the completion of the project.

The Council’s General Secretary, Rev. Dr Cyril Fayose, indicated that the Christian community was prepared to mobilise resources locally and internationally, while appealing for Government support in creating the conditions necessary for the project to move forward.

Hon. Ayariga said concerns surrounding the National Cathedral should be approached through dialogue and consensus, particularly on issues relating to its location, cost and financing.

He noted that Government’s position was not opposed to Ghana having a National Cathedral, but emphasised the need for stakeholders within the Christian community to develop a common position on the way forward.

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