By Godfred Aaneamenga Polkuu, GNA
Bolgatanga, July 14, GNA – Mr Donatus Akamugri Atanga, the Upper East Regional Minister, has reaffirmed the Regional Coordinating Council’s (RCC) commitment to preventing floods by undertaking proactive sanitation exercises ahead of the peak rainy season.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency during a clean-up exercise in Bolgatanga, the Minister said although the region was not among the regions selected for the government’s special anti-flood sanitation campaign, the RCC decided to act early to avert flooding.
“We think that it is better to prepare ahead of time than to wait until the flood comes up for us to start responding,” Mr Atanga stated.
He explained that the exercise aligned with President John Dramani Mahama’s directive that the first Saturday of every month be observed as National Sanitation Day and complemented the President’s call for intensified clean-up efforts in flood-prone communities.
“We know that it is the policy of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama that every first Saturday of the month should be used as Sanitation Day. But with the coming of the rainy season, we realize that in some other big cities there is already flooding,” he said.
The Minister noted that the Upper East Region remained vulnerable to flooding whenever heavy rains occurred, particularly around major drainage systems.
“Upper East is known for that. When we have torrential rains, we always have problems of flooding. Where we are now, there is a big gutter stretching to the flood area, and normally floods occur in this area,” he explained.
Mr Atanga who is the Chairman of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), commended the Ghana Armed Forces for initiating the exercise and encouraging the regional authorities to tackle the problem before it escalated.
“We want to thank our military. They quickly drew our attention that we should move up a bit by making sure that we address this early,” he said.
The exercise, which began a day earlier, brought together personnel from the military, the Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly, and residents to desilt drains and clear refuse from flood-prone areas, including sections of the Bolgatanga New Market.
According to the Minister, the military adopted an innovative approach to encourage public participation by requiring able-bodied passers-by to assist with the clean-up before continuing with their daily activities.
“The methodology adopted by the military is that anybody who is passing around, a young able-bodied person, will be stopped to participate in the exercise.
“If you have an ‘aboboyaa’ (tricycle) and you are passing with it, they stop you to help collect the rubbish that has been gathered, and once you have served, you can continue with your work,” he explained.
He added that commercial motor tricycle operators and motorcyclists were also encouraged to assist in transporting refuse, describing the strategy as effective in boosting community involvement.
“The participation is very high. You can see the garbage behind us that has been cleared,” Mr Atanga observed.
He further noted that structures erected across drains at the Bolgatanga New Market were demolished to facilitate the cleaning exercise and improve water flow.
“We are in the Bolgatanga New Market, where people rented stores or market sheds across the gutters. We have demolished them, and cleaned the area,” he said.
Mr Atanga expressed satisfaction with the public response, saying the approach had gradually encouraged residents to take ownership of the sanitation exercise.
The Minister recounted how one young tricycle operator jokingly questioned why he had been asked to participate for a second consecutive day, “He said he used his motor-king yesterday. I told him yesterday is not today, so he should also do his part once again. So, they are developing interest in what is happening.”
The Regional Minister reiterated that preventing floods required sustained community participation and urged residents to support regular sanitation activities to protect lives and property during the rainy season.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/Benjamin Mensah