The District Chief Executive for Bawku West, James Ayamwego, says his sustained drive for environmental cleanliness is rooted in a firm commitment to protecting public health.
“My key motivation is public health. It’s about the safety of the people,” he told journalists after a district-wide clean-up exercise on Saturday, March 28, 2026. “We don’t have enough resources to treat preventable diseases, so the best approach is to prevent them.”
The exercise, organised by the Bawku West District Assembly in collaboration with the Local Council of Churches under the theme “My Environment, My Responsibility,” brought together pastors, youth groups, traditional leaders, and residents. Participants cleaned major roads and markets, with a strong focus on desilting gutters to improve drainage ahead of the rainy season.
Mr. Ayamwego explained that the emphasis on gutters is deliberate.
“We are desilting gutters to ensure our drains are free of pollutants so that, as the rains set in, we can have a smooth flow of water without challenges that could lead to public health issues,” he said.
He described the turnout as encouraging, noting the presence of a wide cross-section of the community, including a queen mother, and stressed that the exercise will be sustained monthly.
“This is not going to be a one-time event. Every first Saturday of the month, we will continue this exercise in line with the national sanitation policy,” he said.
Beyond organised clean-ups, the DCE said he personally monitors sanitation conditions across the district, even while on the move.
“When I’m in my car and see rubbish or pollutants, I get worried. I look around to identify areas that are not clean and send people there to address them,” he noted.
He added that measures such as a sanitation task force, youth volunteer groups, and the “Operation Clean Your Surroundings” campaign have been introduced to sustain the effort.
“If the district is kept clean and we are sure of the safety and health of our people, that is my reward,” he said.
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