Greater Accra Minister launches Regional Sanitation Day, urges collective cleanliness

The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, has launched the Regional Sanitation Day, emphasising the need for collective action to maintain cleanliness and prevent diseases in the national capital.

The initiative aligns with President John Dramani Mahama's reintroduction of National Sanitation Day, aimed at tackling Ghana’s poor sanitation challenges.

Speaking at the launch on Friday, February 28, 2025, at Madina Zongo Junction, Mrs. Ocloo encouraged market women to embrace cleanliness as a daily habit and commended their active participation in the cleanup exercise.

She also urged roadside vendors to move into the markets to create a more organised trading environment.

“Working in a filthy environment means we end up spending our hard-earned money on hospital bills instead of enjoying the fruits of our labour. To avoid this, I urge everyone to embrace the habit of regularly cleaning our surroundings,” she stated.

The Minister clarified that Regional Sanitation Day is not a one-time event but part of a sustained effort to promote a clean and healthy environment.

She acknowledged the support of stakeholders, including Zoomlion Ghana Limited and Bus Stop Boys, for their contributions to the initiative.

As part of the launch, Zoomlion Ghana Limited provided logistical support, deploying compactors, skip trucks, and personnel to collect waste from drains and street sweepings.

The cleanup, which started at 6:30am, covered key areas such as Madina, Pantang, Atomic Junction, Abotsui Street, and Davy Junction.

The Chief Corporate Communications Officer of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Mrs. Sophia Kudjordji, stressed the importance of community involvement in maintaining sanitation.

“Maintaining sanitation is not a one-person job, but a collective effort,” she said.

She encouraged Ghanaians to take responsibility for their surroundings, urging that communities should not rely on outsiders to clean their environment.

Mrs. Kudjordji also called for stricter laws and sanctions against indiscriminate littering, believing that enforcement would change attitudes toward sanitation.

“If the government enforces stricter laws with sanctions against those who litter indiscriminately, it will serve as a strong deterrent,” she added.

As a leading waste management company, Zoomlion pledged its continued support for sanitation initiatives and public education to instil a culture of cleanliness.