In a bid to promote good health and sanitation, the AbleKuma Central Municipal Assembly, in collaboration with the Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association and Ghana Prisons, organized a clean-up exercise in Abossey Okai. The exercise saw shop owners and traders closing their shops to join forces with the assembly and traditional leaders to clean up the area.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for AbleKuma Central, Hon. Frank Nkansah, expressed gratitude to President John Mahama for the massive infrastructure development in the area, which has prompted the assembly to take proactive steps to address sanitation challenges. He noted that the assembly has been working tirelessly to improve sanitation, but felt it necessary to declare a special day for a massive clean-up exercise.
The MCE emphasized that the exercise is not a one-time event, but rather a quarterly initiative aimed at ensuring continuity and sustainability. He warned that shop owners who fail to comply with sanitation regulations would face penalties, including possible prosecution. The assembly plans to deploy task forces to enforce sanitation rules and ensure that every shop owner takes responsibility for their frontage.
Nkansah highlighted the importance of sensitization programs to change people’s attitudes towards sanitation. He noted that the assembly would engage stakeholders and conduct regular clean-up exercises to maintain a clean environment. The assembly also plans to conduct structural integrity checks on shops and work with the fire service to ensure that electrical issues are addressed.
On the issue of unlawful car parking, the MCE revealed that President John Mahama had promised to provide a parking lot for traders in the area. He assured that the assembly is working on acquiring a suitable location for this purpose.
The MCE commended the Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association for their initiative and collaboration. He emphasized that discipline is key to addressing sanitation challenges and pledged to work with the association to put in place measures to sustain the clean-up efforts.
The General Secretary of the Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association, Madam Gifty Fianu, stated that the clean-up exercise is part of the association’s efforts to promote good health and sanitation in the area.
She noted that some individuals have a habit of disposing of waste and toilet contents into gutters, especially during rainfall, which negatively impacts businesses.
Madam Fianu warned these individuals to desist from the practice, cautioning that the association, in collaboration with the AbleKuma Central Municipal Assembly, will take action against them.
She urged the assembly to reinstate the town council to monitor and enforce sanitation regulations, including arresting and prosecuting those who engage in indiscriminate waste disposal.
For her part, Naa Korkor II, the Queen-Mother of Abossey Okai, has commended the organizers of the recent clean-up exercise, stating that it will help address the sanitation challenges plaguing the community.
She emphasized that it is every individual’s primary responsibility to keep their surroundings clean and free from filth to prevent diseases such as cholera and diarrhea.
As a traditional leader, she pledged that the community would take ownership of their sanitation, ensuring that every household and shop within the Abossey Okai enclave maintains a clean environment and manages waste generated from their activities.
Report by Bernard K Dadzie Greater Accra Region
