The group accused the government of failing to address critical gaps in sanitation and public health, citing the unemployment of graduates from the country’s three Schools of Hygiene since 2021.

According to the association, over 3,600 trained officers from the Ho, Tamale, and Accra schools remain unposted, despite the increasing sanitation and health challenges nationwide.

“We hold the Government of Ghana accountable for this unfortunate situation, which has affected over 10, 233 individuals in the Oti Region,” the statement said, adding that the lack of political will to upgrade the Environmental Health Directorate into a fully resourced authority has left the country vulnerable to outbreaks of typhoid, cholera, and malaria.

The association further raised concerns over inadequate waste management, poor medical screening for food vendors, and insufficient environmental health staff, which they say are contributing factors to the current crisis.

They welcomed recent comments by the Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Water and Sanitation, Kwabena Oti Bless, who suggested increasing the sanitation levy and upgrading the Environmental Health Directorate to an authority. However, they cautioned that such promises must not remain “political talk” without action.

Calling for urgent intervention, the group urged the Ministries of Local Government, Health, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, as well as regional and district authorities, to support financial clearance for the immediate posting of unemployed officers.

“As professionals, we are ready and willing to supplement the efforts of the overburdened officers currently on the field,” the statement added.

The association reaffirmed its commitment to supporting sanitation improvements nationwide and pledged to continue advocating for the rights of environmental health professionals.