Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, Kwame Asare Obeng, popularly known as A Plus, has alleged a covert campaign by selected media houses and civil society organisations to promote a narrative that would justify a possible increase in Ghana’s Sanitation and Pollution Levy (SPL).
According to A Plus, a recent closed-door meeting was held to craft a deliberate media strategy that paints a picture of worsening sanitation under the new administration of President John Mahama.
He claims the plan includes circulating visuals of choked drains, garbage-strewn streets, and poor waste management across media platforms to generate public pressure for a levy hike.
The current SPL imposes a 10 pesewa charge per litre of petrol and diesel consumed, with the aim of improving sanitation infrastructure.
But A Plus argues that despite significant revenue generated over the years, there is little evidence of meaningful progress in sanitation across the country.
He cited an investigative report by The Fourth Estate which revealed that in 2021 alone, GHS 156 million out of the GHS 264 million collected from the levy was disbursed to a single sanitation company. He questioned the value for money, given the continuing poor sanitation conditions in many areas.
A Plus proposed a more sustainable and equitable approach, suggesting that the SPL revenue be decentralized.
He believes each of Ghana’s 261 districts should receive a fair share of the funds to empower local entrepreneurs in waste management — turning sanitation into a source of employment and income.
He emphasized that the issue is not a lack of funds but a lack of equity, transparency, and political will to ensure fair distribution and accountability.
“The citizens deserve better than another tax increase, especially one that burdens the poor while offering little in return,” he said.