The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Bongo, Diana Asoketarige Ayamga, has urged residents to make environmental sanitation a daily responsibility and actively participate in the government’s monthly clean-up exercise.
The Bongo District Assembly joined the nationwide clean-up exercise on Saturday in line with the government’s directive designating the first Saturday of every month for sanitation activities.
The exercise, led by the DCE, brought together assembly members, heads of departments, officials of the Ghana Education Service (GES), staff and students of Bongo Senior High School, basic school teachers and pupils, and other community members.
Participants assembled at the Bongo Chief’s Palace before cleaning major streets, public spaces and drains within the district.
Mrs. Ayamga thanked participants for their turnout and urged residents to keep their surroundings clean to reduce the risk of sanitation-related diseases, including cholera and malaria.
She, however, expressed concern that some residents, particularly traders and shop owners, continued their business activities despite directives to suspend trading during the exercise.
The DCE appealed for greater cooperation during future clean-up exercises, stressing that maintaining a clean environment requires the participation of all residents.
The Overlord of the Bongo Traditional Area also commended residents who participated in the exercise but expressed concern about non-compliance with sanitation directives.
He warned that beginning with the next clean-up exercise, shops belonging to people who fail to comply with the directives would be closed and their owners fined GH¢500.
The traditional ruler also urged households to construct and use toilet facilities to help address open defecation in the district.
He encouraged schoolchildren to promote good sanitation practices in their homes and communities and avoid open defecation and indiscriminate waste disposal.
The monthly clean-up exercise forms part of government efforts to improve environmental sanitation and reduce sanitation-related diseases through community participation.
Source: A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Moses Anaba Azubire | Bolgatanga
