Sunyani, Mar. 3, GNA- Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, Presidential Aspirant of the Convention Peoples Party (CPP), at the weekend, expressed his concern about the seeming insurmountable problem of garbage disposal, filth, standing pools of water and dusty environment in the country. This, he noted, did not encourage maximum productivity by both the private and public sectors.

Dr. Nduom made the observation at a press conference in Sunyani to brief the media on his fifth priority area, if the CPP is voted into power in this year's general elections.

He explained that the country was spending millions of Cedis to treat malaria and other preventable illnesses as a result of the country's unhealthy environment.

The Presidential candidate underscored the need to restore the state's responsibility for a clean and healthy environment through the enactment of appropriate laws, monitoring performances and resourcing law enforcement agencies to become strong to manage the situation. Dr. Nduom said when voted President, he would engage in a countrywide education for the entire citizenry to understand the importance of keeping the environment clean.

He expressed his regret about the hazards of plastic waste, imported second hand gas cylinders and refrigerators as well as microwave ovens, tyres and other products that had outlived their usefulness in other countries, but dumped in the country.

"A safe and clean environment is a pre-requisite for having a significant tourist program and in the same way our national psyche would be enhanced significantly if our environment is clean and healthy", Dr. Ndoum stressed.

On the general election, Dr. Nduom entreated other presidential aspirants to conduct their campaigns devoid of provocative and unsavoury statements that could lead the country into chaos.

Poor Hygiene reducing Ghana's productivity - Mrs Nduom

Cape Coast, March 3, GNA - Mrs Yvonne Nduom, wife of Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, flagbearer of the Conventions People's Party (CPP) on Monday stated that the government has failed Ghanaians in the area of environmental management resulting in low productivity. Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Cape Coast, Mrs Nduom said management of the environment should be the topmost agenda of every government.

Mrs Nduom, who is a management specialist, said poor hygiene had caused Ghana a lot in terms of economic growth. "Due to bad sanitation, Ghanaians are falling sick daily and as are using productive working hours to recover."

According to her, an average Ghanaian gets malaria thrice in a year and uses a minimum of 120 hours to recover. "If we are to multiply that by the over 15 million population of the working class, it means averagely, Ghana has been losing 1,800,000,000 hours of working hours to illness".

Mrs Nduom said it was good to provide mosquito nets for the masses, but what is the essence if the government fails to protect the environment, provide good drainage systems, public toilets and effective waste management systems. She called on all stakeholders to support in making the environment pollution free.