The Waste Management Department of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly has undertaken an inspection of public sanitary facilities in Communities 10, 11 and 12 to assess their condition and schedule maintenance works, but the exercise also revealed encroachment on some public utility lands.

The inspection formed part of routine monitoring by the Assembly to ensure that public sanitation infrastructure remains functional, accessible and properly maintained.

During the exercise, officials observed that some lands reserved for sanitary facilities had been encroached upon, while in certain cases, private developers had reportedly acquired portions of the lands and undertaken developments in violation of regulations governing public utility lands.

Officials explained that lands designated for sanitary facilities are public utility lands and cannot be sold or developed for private use, unless due legal processes are followed and the land use classification is officially changed.

The Assembly cited provisions under the Land Use and Spatial Planning Act, 2016 (Act 925) and the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), which mandate Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to protect lands reserved for public services such as sanitation, roads, schools and health facilities.

The Assembly further noted that unauthorised occupation or development of such lands may also constitute a violation under the State Lands Act, 1962 (Act 125), which prohibits unlawful occupation or development of state or public lands.

Officials indicated that the Assembly would review documentation covering the affected lands, engage the developers involved and take the necessary enforcement actions where violations are confirmed.

The Waste Management Department emphasised that protecting sanitary facility lands was critical to improving sanitation services and environmental health in the metropolis, adding that the inspection exercise would also guide a maintenance and rehabilitation schedule for selected facilities across Tema