By Kingsley Mamore
Dambai (O/R), July 10, GNA- Personnel from the security services have taken the lead in the National Sanitation Day exercise in Dambai, the Oti Regional capital on Friday, by joining environmental health officers to undertake a clean-up exercise.
The exercise is aimed at improving environmental sanitation and public health.
A visit by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) to the Municipality’s main lorry station and other parts of the township observed personnel from the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Customs Service, Ghana National Fire Service, the Ghana Armed Forces and officers of the Environmental Health Unit sweeping public spaces, clearing refuse, cutting overgrown weeds and desilting choked drains.
The exercise forms part of the government’s renewed commitment to promoting environmental cleanliness and reducing the incidence of sanitation-related diseases through the observance of the National Sanitation Day on Friday and Saturday of every month.
Although sections of residents participated by clearing weeds along roadsides and removing silt from gutters in their communities, turnout among the public was relatively low compared to the strong presence of the security agencies.
The GNA also observed that no officials of the Krachi East Municipal Assembly were present at the principal exercise grounds during the period of the visit.
Speaking to the GNA, Madam Cynthia Sekyere, Oti Regional Environmental Health Director, described the exercise as timely and essential in promoting a clean and healthy environment.
She said maintaining environmental cleanliness was a shared responsibility and urged residents to take ownership of sanitation activities by actively participating in subsequent monthly exercises.
Madam Sekyere noted that indiscriminate dumping of refuse and the failure to maintain drains continued to contribute to flooding and the spread of preventable diseases, particularly during the rainy season.
She appealed to community members, traditional authorities, religious bodies, market women, transport operators and youth groups to support the campaign by making sanitation a daily responsibility rather than limiting clean-up activities to designated national exercises.
She expressed appreciation to the security agencies and environmental health officers for their commitment and dedication to ensuring the success of the exercise and encouraged other institutions to emulate their example.
The National Sanitation Day initiative seeks to foster a culture of environmental cleanliness, strengthen community participation in waste management, and promote healthier communities across the country.
Residents who participated in the exercise also appealed for sustained public education, stricter enforcement of sanitation by-laws, and regular community engagement to improve sanitation standards in the municipality.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah /George-Ramsey Benamba