Over 2,000 health officers still unposted — Parliamentary Committee demands action

The Parliamentary Committee on Sanitation and Water Resources is urging the Ministry of Finance. They want funds released quickly to post Environmental Health Officers. These officers will be assigned to Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) nationwide.

The committee believes this action is crucial for tackling Ghana’s sanitation issues. Currently, the number of Environmental Health Officers is inadequate. The World Health Organization recommends one officer per 800 people. However, Ghana has only one officer for every 8,000 people.

Additionally, over 2,000 graduates from Schools of Hygiene have not been posted since 2021. This situation persists despite the urgent need for more personnel. Committee Chairman John Oti Bless spoke to journalists about this issue.

He highlighted that these graduates have been idle since 2021. He called it unfortunate and urged government action. “We know our colleague, the Finance Minister, listens,” he said. He urged them to clear postings for these young graduates.

Without proper staffing, efforts to improve sanitation are hindered. Many MMDAs currently have one officer managing over 8,000 people. “How can we succeed in improving sanitation?” he asked. The committee's appeal comes as concerns grow over poor sanitation in many communities across the country.