Report by Ben LARYEA
As part of the effort to raise awareness of environmental cleanliness and sensitise also the public on good sanitation and hygiene practices, the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources in collaboration with the Ayawaso East Municipal Assembly has organized a clean-up exercise at Nima, a suburb of Accra.
The gesture is in response to the global call to commemorate this year’s World Clean-up day celebrated across the world.
The clean-up exercise commenced at 6.00 am from the Nima round about, right through the market, and other areas in the municipality.
It witnessed the participation of the management and staff of the sanitation ministry, workers of the Municipal Assembly and a cross-section of the citizenry in the community.
The streets and pavements were cleared of refuse, as drains on the shoulders of the Nima highway were desilted with the standby refuse tricycles, trucks and bulldozers collecting the waste and transporting them to dump sites.
Speaking to the media shortly after the exercise, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, Mr. Noah Tumfo applauded the community for the massive turnout and the commitment demonstrated to keep their surroundings clean.
He also commended the Ayawaso East Municipal Assembly for the continuous education on issues of sanitation, adding that the Ministry has put in place pragmatic measures and structures in addressing sanitation across the country.
The Chief Director advised the public to refrain from dumping solid waste in unauthorized places and explained that the attitude contributes to the filth that has engulfed most parts of the cities, towns, and communities and is associated also with diseases.
He said the government is working fervently in collaboration with stakeholders in the sanitation value chain as part of the drive to address and maintain a clean and hygienic environment, adding that the ministry has rolled out programs and initiatives to win the war on filth across the country.
For her part, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Ayawaso East Municipal Assembly, Hajia Salma Mohammed Sanni Adams said the clean-up will be organized periodically as part of the effort to keep the municipality clean from filth and called on the citizenry to separate waste in their respective bins and refuse containers in their households.
She expressed her gratitude to the ministry for the supply of logistics and the timely resources from the government to address issues of sanitation in the country.
