The Bolgatanga Technical University (BTU) has partnered with the Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly to undertake a cleanup exercise across key parts of the Upper East Regional capital.
The exercise, which began at Jubilee Park on Friday, extended to the Old and New Markets, the goats market, the fowl market, and surrounding areas, drawing together staff of the assembly, as well as staff and students of the university who are marking their annual SRC Week celebration.
Vice Chancellor of BTU, Professor Samuel Erasmus Alnaa, speaking to the media, underscored the university’s commitment to supporting a cleaner municipality. “They say cleanliness is next to godliness. We noticed the Bolga township was suffocating with filth, so I paid a visit to the MCE and promised that I would mobilise my colleagues and students for this exercise,” he said.
Professor Alnaa stressed that the university, though autonomous, is part of the community and cannot remain indifferent to its sanitation challenges. “Whatever happens in the municipality affects the university as well. Suppose there’s an outbreak of cholera; our students and staff are also affected. So, we thought it wise to collaborate with the assembly and sensitise the public to keep their surroundings clean,” he noted.
He described the sight of filth in the markets as alarming, adding, “It’s a bad sight. You find some fecal matter while people are sitting there selling and eating. That is not good at all.” He proposed that cleanup activities become a periodic, organised effort rather than a one-off event.
The Vice Chancellor also linked the cleanup to the university’s niche area of ecological and environmental agriculture, highlighting the need to always consider the environment in development and business activities to avoid future health crises. “If we don’t keep our environment well, it’s just a time bomb ticking. It’s better we curb the situation now than look for remedies later,” he said.
For his part, the Municipal Chief Executive for Bolgatanga, Roland Atanga Ayoo, commended BTU for the partnership, describing sanitation as one of the municipality’s most pressing issues. “Sanitation is a serious issue in Bolga. It is a security threat and a threat to life. In case of any outbreak of disease, nobody will be spared,” he stated.
He explained that the cleanup exercise aligns with his vision to restore Bolgatanga to its former reputation as one of the cleanest towns in Ghana. “It will not be the end. It will continue because it is part of my policy to ensure Bolga returns to its glorious days,” he said, adding that changing attitudes among residents is key to achieving this goal.
Mr. Ayoo also hinted that local by-laws will soon be enforced to discourage littering and illegal dumping. “I am told that people secretly throw refuse into the open at night or in the early dawn. When such a person is arrested, the appropriate sanctions must apply,” he warned.
He concluded by calling on all stakeholders, including the media, to support the crusade for a cleaner Bolgatanga: “Let’s do a lot on environmental change and sanitation. Together, we will build Bolga and lift it to the level we all want.”
The SRC President of the university, Iddrisu Tijani, said the students joined the clean-up exercise to help make Bolgatanga befitting of a regional capital. Members of the Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO) Eco Club, Bolgatanga Technical University, joined in the clean-up exercise. Its president, Akai Ajuilie Juliana, entreated residents of the municipality to practice environmental sustainability and devoid from actions that contribute to climate change.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Joshua Asaah|Bolgatanga
