By Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo, GNA
Tema, July 15, GNA – The AfriKan Continental Union Consult (ACUC) has called on the government to institutionalise a national culture of cleanliness to complement periodic sanitation exercises and address Ghana’s persistent environmental sanitation challenges.
Mr Benjamin Anyagre Aziginaateeg, Leader of ACUC, who made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), said the recent National Sanitation Exercise should mark the beginning of a permanent movement to promote environmental responsibility rather than remain a one-off event.
Mr Aziginaateeg said that although the nationwide clean-up exercise demonstrated citizens’ willingness to contribute to a cleaner environment, lasting change would require sustained behavioural transformation and stronger institutional commitment.
According to him, sanitation should be regarded as a shared civic responsibility involving government institutions, traditional authorities, religious organisations, schools, businesses and local communities.
Mr Aziginaateeg explained that the ACUC was urging the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs; metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies; traditional councils; regional houses of chiefs; community-based organisations and environmental advocacy groups in a memorandum to adopt long-term strategies to sustain the gains made during the exercise.
He observed that indiscriminate littering, poor waste disposal practices and blocked drainage systems continued to contribute to flooding, environmental degradation and public health risks.
He said Ghana required continuous public education, community participation and strict enforcement of sanitation regulations to address those challenges.
The ACUC leader proposed that sanitation education should be strengthened in schools while metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies intensify environmental health campaigns and enforce existing sanitation by-laws.
He also encouraged traditional leaders, faith-based organisations and civil society groups to champion cleanliness initiatives within their respective communities.
Mr Aziginaateeg said developing a national culture of cleanliness would contribute to improved public health, environmental sustainability and national development.
He urged Ghanaians to maintain the momentum generated by the recent clean-up exercise by making environmental cleanliness a daily responsibility rather than an occasional activity.
GNA
Edited by Knneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo, GNA
[email protected]