By Christabel Kporvie/Precious Tetteh
Accra, July 17, GNA – Some traders in Accra’s Central Business District have called for regular national clean-up exercises to improve environmental sanitation and reduce flooding, while raising concerns over misinformation surrounding the Government’s National Sanitation Clean-up Exercise.
The traders said many shop owners kept their businesses closed on Friday and Saturday (July 10 and 11) after receiving information that trading activities had been suspended to facilitate the exercise.
In separate interviews with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), they said the misunderstanding resulted in significant business losses, although they commended the clean-up exercise and called for it to be sustained.
Mrs Emelia Appiah, a trader at Makola Market, said they were informed not to open their shops on both days, even though neither day had been declared a public holiday.
She said they were told security personnel would enforce the directive by the President and sanction traders who failed to comply.
Mrs Appiah said although the misinformation affected business, the clean-up exercise was a commendable initiative that should be organised regularly.
Mrs Linda Ahiammor, another trader, said she was unable to participate because she was out of Accra but fully supported the exercise.
She said regular clean-up campaigns were essential because choked drains were a major cause of flooding in many communities.
“I would have gladly joined if I had been around because flooding affects everyone. From what I have seen, the exercise has had a positive impact, and the environment is now much cleaner,” she said.
Mr Udochi Eze, also a trader, described the exercise as beneficial, saying the environment was visibly cleaner than before.
He acknowledged that some drains remained choked but said organising the exercise every month would help keep gutters clear and improve sanitation.
“A clean environment attracts customers because many people make purchasing decisions based on the cleanliness of a business’s surroundings,” Mr Eze said.
He also urged food vendors to maintain high standards of hygiene.
Mr Emmanuel Addy, a trader, expressed concern about the handling of waste collected during the exercise, questioning why refuse removed from gutters had been left along roadsides instead of being promptly evacuated.
He said leaving the waste by the roadside undermined the objective of the exercise because rainfall could wash it back into the drains, increasing the risk of flooding.
Mr Addy called on the Accra Metropolitan Assembly to improve waste management services, noting that traders paid daily refuse collection fees and pavement tolls and, therefore, expected more efficient sanitation services.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe