The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has expressed concern about the insanitary environment in the country and appealed to Ghanaians to get involved in efforts to stem the problem.

A press release from the Ministry said the recent flooding of Accra and other parts of the country with devastating loss of lives and property are mainly the result of disregard for rules governing dumping of refuse. "We have literally accepted littering of the environment as part of our culture - hence the dumping of refuse in gutters and open spaces."

The called on Ghanaians to form Community Sanitation Committees and organise communal labour in their residential areas.

The Assemblies are being encouraged to appoint sanitation guards to check the practice of haphazard dumping of refuse.

The Ministry is also working towards a National Sanitation Day this year during which districts and communities would be awarded for their efforts at ensuring clean and hygienic environment in the country.

The Ministry appealed to companies and individuals whose activity involves the use of polythene bags and other plastic products to support its efforts to check the littering of the environment.

"The crusade to get rid of the filth in Ghana must be total and holistic. Each and every one must be on the watch-out to caution those in the habit of dumping and littering the environment.

"The nation's health bill would sour if we continue to live in such unhealthy environment, especially as some traders ply their trade along choked drains in cities and towns."