By Edward Williams
Hohoe (V/R), July 22, GNA – Mr Prosper Kumi, the Hohoe Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), has reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to supporting and sustaining the Municipal Sanitation Promotion Programme (MUSAP) to enhance environmental cleanliness in the Municipality.
He said the Hohoe Municipal Assembly remained one of the most proactive assemblies in the Volta Region in retooling and strengthening sanitation activities.
Mr Kumi made the remarks during the half-year review of MUSAP implementation in Hohoe, describing the meeting as an opportunity to assess the Programme’s performance and identify strategies to improve its operations.
He disclosed that the Assembly had earmarked about GH¢200,000 for the desilting of gutters across the Municipality as part of efforts to improve sanitation and prevent flooding.
The MCE said the Assembly continued to collaborate with Zoomlion Ghana Limited in undertaking sanitation activities and planned to procure and deploy three refuse containers before the end of the year.
Mr Kumi charged the Municipal Environmental Health Department to ensure the effective prosecution of individuals who refused to comply with sanitation regulations and participate in communal sanitation exercises.
He also urged residents not to harass MUSAP personnel when they carried out their duties and appealed to traditional authorities to support the Assembly’s sanitation drive.
Mr Kumi assured stakeholders that concerns affecting the implementation of the Programme would be addressed to improve its effectiveness.
He commended MUSAP personnel for their dedication and contribution towards keeping the Municipality clean and also praised all stakeholders supporting sanitation initiatives in the area.
The MCE expressed confidence that sustained collaboration among residents, traditional authorities and sanitation agencies would help position Hohoe among the cleanest municipalities in the country.
Mr John Paul Torgbe, Hohoe MUSAP Coordinator, said personnel of the Programme continued to discharge their responsibilities diligently and deserve recognition for their efforts.
He expressed concern about the sanitation practices of some residents, particularly the channelling of wastewater from homes into public drains, which undermined efforts to maintain a clean environment.
Mr Torgbe also noted that some residents remained indifferent to sanitation activities and called for intensified public education to promote behavioural change.
He appealed to the Assembly to provide security support during sanitation exercises to protect personnel from attacks and intimidation by some members of the public.
Mr Torgbe further requested additional working tools and a vehicle to facilitate public announcements and operations in the various zones where MUSAP operates.
Madam Stella Kumedzro, Volta Regional Environmental Health Officer, described the sanitation situation in the Hohoe Municipality as commendable.
She attributed the progress to the Assembly’s commitment to equipping and supporting MUSAP and noted that Hohoe was among the leading municipalities in the region in terms of sanitation logistics and support.
Madam Kumedzro urged residents to continue supporting MUSAP and other sanitation initiatives aimed at improving and sustaining environmental cleanliness in the Municipality.
MUSAP currently employs 83 personnel and operates in 10 zones across the traditional areas within the Hohoe Municipality.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Edward Williams