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The state of Ghana’s streets and gutters is more than an environmental concern. It is a mirror reflecting the nation’s collective values, priorities, and responsibilities.
The plastic bottles clogging drains, the stagnant water in gutters, and the heaps of trash littering the cities are not the government’s doing: they are the people’s.
Each piece of litter and every choked gutter is a testimony to the people’s refusal to take ownership of the spaces they share.
The inconvenient truth is that the streets and gutters are not dirty because they must be; they are dirty because the inhabitants have made them so.
Who bears the responsibility?
Blaming the government is easy. Everyone expects it to clean up the mess and enforce policies. But policies alone do not clog gutters or litter streets. People do.
A plastic bottle thrown into a gutter or trash dumped into an open drain is not the government’s fault. It is the result of individuals failing to see the harm caused by their actions.
Rwanda provides a striking contrast, often celebrated as one of Africa’s cleanest nations. Its transformation was not solely the result of government policies. It stemmed from the active participation of its people.
Monthly community clean-up events, known as Umuganda, bring citizens together to clean their neighbourhoods, including their gutters.
This initiative fosters a sense of shared responsibility. Rwanda’s decision to ban plastic bags in 2008, though initially met with resistance, is now hailed as visionary.
Today, Kigali’s streets and gutters are pristine – not because of government enforcement alone, but because the people have embraced cleanliness as part of their culture.
This lesson is clear. The transformation of any environment begins with individual accountability. Streets and gutters are not choked with waste because governments have failed. They are choked because the people have abandoned their responsibility to protect them.
Success stories: Cleanliness through responsibility
Many nations have faced environmental crises and turned their fortunes around. Their stories prove that change is achievable through bold leadership, community involvement, and practical policies.
Rwanda: A culture of Cleanliness
Rwanda’s journey began with a bold decision to ban plastic bags. Initially met with skepticism, this policy has had a profound impact.
Citizens embraced alternatives, and combined with Umuganda, the streets and gutters of Rwanda are among the cleanest in Africa.
This transformation was not achieved by enforcement alone. It was driven by a culture of shared responsibility, where citizens take pride in their environment.
Singapore: From polluted to pristine
In the 1960s, Singapore was plagued by polluted gutters, streets, and poor public hygiene. Recognizing the need for change, the government introduced strict anti-littering laws, built advanced waste management infrastructure, and launched public education campaigns.
Today, Singapore’s spotless streets and functioning drainage systems are global benchmarks of cleanliness.
This transformation combined enforcement, education, and investment in infrastructure.
South Korea: Making recycling a way of life
South Korea faced overwhelming waste problems until it introduced a volume-based waste disposal system.
Citizens paid for waste collection based on the amount they generated, incentivizing waste reduction. Today, South Korea boasts of one of the world’s highest recycling rates.
Clean streets and unblocked gutters are a testament to how aligning incentives with responsibility can bring about significant change.
Costa Rica: Restoring the environment
Costa Rica reversed decades of deforestation through aggressive reforestation policies and financial incentives for landowners. The nation also focused on eco-tourism, building a culture of environmental stewardship.
Clean rivers and thriving ecosystems prove that environmental restoration is possible when governments and citizens work together.
Germany: A leadership in renewable energy
Germany’s Energiewende initiative has positioned it as a global leader in renewable energy. Through investments in solar, wind, and waste-to-energy projects, Germany has drastically reduced its carbon footprint.
Its commitment to clean energy ensures that streets, air, and waterways remain uncontaminated, benefiting future generations.
These examples show that transformation is not a distant dream. It requires leadership, collective action, and sustained effort.
The cost of neglect
Neglecting the streets and gutters has dire consequences. Clogged drains lead to flooding, stagnant water becomes a breeding ground for diseases, and polluted streets create health and safety hazards.
These issues are not acts of nature; they are the result of human negligence.
In Ghana, urban flooding is a recurring problem, exacerbated by plastic waste clogging drainage systems. Heavy rains overwhelm gutters, causing water mixed with garbage to spill into streets and homes.
Property is destroyed, lives are endangered, and communities are left to deal with preventable disasters.
In Pakistan, the catastrophic floods of 2022 displaced millions and caused billions of dollars in damage.
While climate change played a role, unchecked deforestation and poor urban planning magnified the disaster. Gutters and drainage systems, overwhelmed with waste, failed to mitigate the flooding.
These examples are reminders that neglecting the environment comes at a heavy cost – both human and financial.
Taking responsibility for change
Transformation begins with the citizens. Governments can create policies, but policies are meaningless without public participation. Each person must take ownership of their role in environmental stewardship.
Dispose of waste responsibly
“Carry your trash until you find a bin. Do not dump waste into gutters or on streets.”
Every piece of properly disposed waste reduces the burden on the environment and prevents clogged drainage systems.
Minimize the use of single-use plastics. Embrace recycling wherever possible. Minor changes in daily habits can significantly reduce the waste burden.
Participate in community action
Organize or join local clean-up initiatives. When communities come together to clean streets and clear gutters, the results are immediate and inspiring.
Encourage friends, family, and neighbors to dispose of waste responsibly. Challenge littering and advocate cleaner surroundings. Collective change begins with individual actions.
The journey to cleaner streets and gutters starts with small steps. Imagine a city where every resident takes ownership of one piece of trash daily. The transformation would be monumental.
Hope for renewal
The earth has an extraordinary capacity for healing if given the chance. Forests can regrow. Rivers can run clear. Gutters can flow freely. Streets can become clean again.
However, this healing depends on the public. The success stories of Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, Costa Rica, and Germany demonstrate that change is achievable when individuals and governments work together.
Environmental neglect is not irreversible, but it requires effort, leadership, and a collective mindset shift.
Gutters and streets reflect the society’s conscience
The filth in the gutters and on the streets is more than an environmental issue. It is a reflection of the people’s values, priorities, and the pride they take in their communities. Governments cannot solve this problem alone. Real change begins with each individual taking responsibility for his or her actions.
Clean streets and clear gutters are not just about aesthetics. They are about public health, safety, and dignity. They reflect a society that values itself and its future.
Let everyone ensure that the state of their streets and gutters mirrors a society that takes pride in its surroundings. When every person takes responsibility for their environment, entire communities thrive.
As the saying goes, when everyone sweeps their front yard, the whole village becomes clean. “Let us begin with our yards, our streets, and our habits.” The time to act is now!
Source: GNA
