By Isaac Arkoh
Cape Coast, Sept 10, GNA -Climate Change Advisors Ghana (CCAG), an Environmental Advocacy Group in partnership with the Buzstop Boys, a volunteer-driven environmental sanitation group led a massive clean-up in Cape Coast during this year’s Oguaa Fetu Afahye.
The intervention reinforced calls for cleaner communities and more sustainable cultural events.
It was intended to heighten public awareness of waste management ahead of the festival, reduce pollution in sensitive water bodies and promote a culture of environmental responsibility among residents and visitors.
To the two organisations, cleaner streets and functioning drains help prevent health hazards, protect local livelihoods tied to fishing and tourism, and ensure a safer, more attractive festival environment.
The operation brought together dozens of volunteers from the Buzstop Boys and community members, demonstrating local commitment to clean public spaces for more sustainable festivals.
The exercise began along the banks of the Fosu Lagoon and moved through streets towards the historic Cape Coast Castle.
Volunteers collected plastic waste, cleared choked drainage channels and removed debris that risks blocking waterways and fuelling flooding during the rainy season.
As part of CCAG’s support for the exercise, it presented a cash donation to the Buzstop Boys to support their ongoing clean-up activities.
Dr Nana Esi Badua-Taylor, Lecture, Department of Hospitality Management, Cape Coast Technical University emphasised the need for environmental responsibility to be incorporated into the planning and execution of public events.
Dr Badua-Taylor who is also the Project Coordinator of CCAG, called on event organisers and planners to prioritise environmentally friendly products and practices, particularly those that helped prevent pollution of water bodies.
“All events should be organised with the environmental sustainability in mind, and event planners should consider products that are environmentally friendly and do not pollute the environment, especially our water bodies,” she stated in an interview with the media.
Corroborating her views, Mr Shafi Mohammed, Head of Administration of CCAG also called for environmentally conscious sustainability and commended the Buzstop Boys for their continued efforts to promote environmental cleanliness across Ghana.
He noted that the group’s work had attracted considerable public attention and appreciation, particularly through its social media activities.
He further encouraged the leadership of the Buzstop Boys to explore ways of sustaining and expanding the initiative, stressing that the environmental challenges facing Ghana required continued collective action.
Mr Mohammed also urged the youth of Cape Coast not to view plastic waste simply as rubbish, but a potential economic resource through collection, recovery, recycling, and other circular economy opportunities.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey /Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Isaac Arkoh