By Michael Foli Jackidy
Ho (V/R), July 11, GNA – The Volta Region has successfully implemented the nationwide clean-up and post-flood sanitation exercise across all 18 Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAs), Madam Stella Kumedzro, Volta Regional Environmental Health Officer (REHO), has said.
She said the exercise was carried out following a government directive and coordinated by the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) through the Regional Environmental Health and Sanitation Unit.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Madam Kumedzro said the initiative sought to improve environmental sanitation, restore cleanliness in public spaces, mitigate health risks associated with recent flooding in parts of the region and encourage community participation in environmental management.
She said the exercise attracted broad participation from the Municipal and District Assemblies, the VRCC, Environmental Health Officers, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), security agencies, schoolchildren, Zoomlion Ghana Limited, traditional authorities, market associations, youth groups, faith-based organisations and community volunteers.
Activities carried out included desilting choked drains and stormwater channels, sweeping major streets, markets, lorry parks, schools and other public places, removal of refuse from illegal dumpsites, clearing overgrown vegetation and flood-borne debris, and cleaning flood-affected public areas and drainage systems.
Madam Kumedzro said extensive public education was also undertaken on environmental sanitation, proper waste disposal, food safety, personal hygiene and measures to prevent cholera and other communicable diseases, particularly in communities affected by recent floods.
She noted that special attention was given to flood-hit communities to minimise health risks associated with stagnant water, accumulated waste and contaminated surroundings.
Madam Kumedzro said officials of the RCC and members of the Regional Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee on Sanitation closely monitored the exercise to ensure effective coordination and compliance across the region.
Mr James Gunu, Volta Regional Minister, accompanied by Alhaji Mohammed Avorna Akape, Chief Director of the VRCC, and Mr Pascal Agbagba, Regional Director of NADMO, inspected activities in the South Tongu District and Keta Municipality.
The team assessed ongoing post-flood sanitation interventions, interacted with stakeholders and donated sanitation logistics to support the exercise.
The Regional Minister later monitored activities in the Akatsi South Municipality, while the Chief Director, Madam Kumedzro and the Regional Director of NADMO supervised exercises in the Anloga and Central Tongu districts, where extensive clean-up operations were undertaken and relief items presented to affected communities.
Madam Kumedzro said members of the sanitation committee were also deployed to Kpando Municipality, North Dayi District, South Dayi District, Ho West District, Ketu South Municipality, Ketu North Municipality and Akatsi South Municipality to monitor implementation.
According to her, reports from the field indicated high public participation, effective inter-agency collaboration and the successful execution of planned sanitation activities in all monitored assemblies.
She said Ho Municipality, Adaklu District, Agotime-Ziope District, Akatsi North District, Afadzato South District, Hohoe Municipality and North Tongu District also recorded successful clean-up exercises with strong institutional support and active community involvement.
To strengthen sanitation efforts, the VRCC donated wheelbarrows, Wellington boots and Aquatabs to support environmental sanitation activities and enhance community preparedness for future emergencies.
Madam Kumedzro said the exercise resulted in the removal of large quantities of refuse and flood debris, restoration of drainage channels, cleaning of public spaces and significant improvements in environmental conditions across many communities.
She said the exercise also provided an opportunity to intensify public education on environmental cleanliness, proper waste management, food hygiene and disease prevention, particularly in flood-prone communities.
Madam Kumedzro reaffirmed the commitment of the VRCC to sustaining regular sanitation activities and strengthening collaboration among stakeholders to promote cleaner, healthier and more resilient communities.
She said the success of the exercise demonstrated the collective commitment of government institutions, local authorities and residents to safeguarding public health and protecting the environment through improved sanitation practices.
She expressed appreciation to the Chief Director of the VRCC, NADMO, Municipal and District Chief Executives, Environmental Health Officers, security agencies, development partners, traditional authorities, schoolchildren, volunteers and other stakeholders whose contributions ensured the success of the exercise.
Mr Gunu, on his part, commended residents for their enthusiasm and urged them to make environmental cleanliness a daily civic responsibility rather than an occasional event.
“Keeping our surroundings clean is a shared responsibility that requires the active collaboration of government, traditional authorities, institutions and every citizen,” he said.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Lydia Kukua Asamoah