By Kingsley Mamore, GNA
Dambai (O/R), July 11, GNA – Madam Cynthia Sekyere, the Oti Regional Environmental Health Officer (REHO), has cautioned that although the Oti Region escaped the recent flooding experienced in some parts of the country, it remains vulnerable to similar disasters if residents fail to maintain proper environmental sanitation.
She said complacency towards sanitation could expose communities to avoid flooding, particularly during the rainy season, and urged residents to adopt preventive measures to protect lives, property and public health.
Madam Sekyere made the remarks during an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the sidelines of the National Sanitation Day exercise held in Dambai on Friday.
The exercise forms part of the government’s National Sanitation Day initiative introduced by President John Dramani Mahama to promote environmental cleanliness and strengthen public participation in sanitation management through regular nationwide clean-up campaigns.
She noted that although the region had not recorded flood incidents in recent times, blocked drains, indiscriminate disposal of waste and poor sanitation practices could easily trigger flooding if left unchecked.
“The fact that Oti has not experienced severe flooding should not make us complacent. Floods can occur anywhere when drainage systems are choked with refuse, and people fail to keep their surroundings clean,” she said.
Madam Sekyere appealed to residents across the region’s nine, Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAs) to actively participate in the monthly sanitation exercise by desilting gutters, clearing refuse dumps, removing weeds around homes and public spaces and ensuring proper waste disposal.
According to her, environmental sanitation remains a shared responsibility that requires the active involvement of every citizen to reduce the risk of floods and the outbreak of sanitation-related diseases.
She stressed that sustained community participation in the clean-up campaign would not only improve the aesthetic condition of communities but also enhance public health and environmental resilience.
The Regional Environmental Health Officer further called on traditional authorities, assembly members, opinion leaders, youth groups and community-based organisations to intensify public education and mobilise residents to support sanitation activities throughout the region.
She said collaborative efforts between local authorities and communities would strengthen environmental management and help build safer, healthier and more resilient communities.
Madam Sekyere expressed optimism that with sustained public commitment and behavioural change, the Oti Region could maintain a clean environment while reducing the likelihood of floods and other sanitation-related emergencies.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah /Kenneth Odeng Adade