In a bid to promote environmental cleanliness and curb flooding risks, the Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association, in collaboration with the Ablekuma Central Municipal Assembly (AbCMA) and the Ghana Prisons Service, organized a six-hour intensive clean-up exercise in the Abossey Okai business enclave and its environs early Wednesday morning.
The exercise, which began at 6Am saw participants sweeping streets, desilting choked gutters, and collecting heaps of refuse for proper disposal. The initiative aimed to address the growing sanitation challenges in the area, particularly as the rainy season heightens flood risks due to blocked drains.
Dealers Urged to Take Ownership of Cleanliness
Mrs. Gifty Loveluck Naana Fianu, General
Secretary of the Abossey Okai Spare Parts Association, who actively participated in the exercise, emphasized the need for traders and residents to take personal responsibility for maintaining a clean environment.
“Don’t always wait for others to come around before you clean your surroundings. Make it a duty to tidy up your workspace and community,” she urged.
She expressed concern over the indiscriminate dumping of waste by some residents and strongly condemned those who channel toilet waste into open gutters. “Such practices are not only unhygienic but also pose serious health hazards to all of us,” she added.
Stolen Dustbins and Poor Waste Disposal
Habits
Mrs. Fianu revealed that the association had placed dustbins at strategic locations to encourage proper waste disposal, but theft has been a major setback. “It is unfortunate that some individuals steal these bins meant for public use. We are sending a strong warning—stop this act or face the law when caught,” she stated.
She also cautioned against the habit of dumping garbage into drains, especially during rains, which leads to blockages and subsequent flooding. “When you throw waste into gutters, you contribute to the flooding that destroys properties and disrupts business. Let’s all be responsible,”she stressed.
Call for Sanitation Task Force Revival
To sustain the gains of the clean-up exercise, Mrs. Fianu called on the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to reintroduce Sanitation Task Forces to enforce cleanliness bylaws. “We need strict monitoring to ensure compliance. A dedicated task force will help maintain discipline and penalize offenders,” she proposed.
The Ablekuma Central Municipal Assembly and the Ghana Prisons Service pledged continued support for such initiatives, emphasizing that collective effort is key to achieving a cleaner, flood-resistant community.
Commenting on the exercise, Frank Nkansah, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) Officer for Ablekuma Central Municipal Assembly noted “Today’s cleanup exercise is particularly significant
because it involves Abossey Okai, a business hub in our municipality”
According to Mr Nkansah, the local business association has long raised concerns about sanitation challenges in the area. While they have made individual efforts, we recognized the need for a more coordinated and large-scale approach. That is why, in collaboration with traditional leaders, our Member of Parliament, Hon. Abdul Latif Dan, the business association, and the Ghana Prisons Service, we organized this massive cleanup campaign.
However, this is not a one-off event. We intend to hold such exercises quarterly, ensuring sustained cleanliness. Beyond today, our task force will conduct regular inspections to enforce compliance. Every shop owner must take responsibility for
their frontage. The waste we see here is not from outsiders—it is generated by businesses and their customers. Therefore, maintaining a clean environment must be a shared responsibility.
To ensure discipline, the Assembly will implement strict punitive measures. Those who disregard sanitation regulations will face penalties, including community service, as we have already demonstrated today with an offender joining the cleanup. Our goal is to make Ablekuma Central a model of cleanliness in the region.
We recognize that sanitation is not just about waste collection—it is about changing attitudes. That is why we will intensify public sensitization programs, engaging all stakeholders to foster a culture of daily cleanliness, not just during
organized exercises.
Additionally, we are taking proactive steps to address other environmental and safety concerns. The Assembly, in partnership with the Fire Service, will conduct structural integrity assessments of shops and businesses. We will also regulate electrical wiring to prevent fire hazards, ensuring rapid response in case of emergencies.
Once again, I commend the business association for their consistent efforts. The broader sanitation challenge in Ghana is fundamentally a matter of discipline. We will continue to collaborate with the association to provide more waste bins and improve waste management.
“Furthermore, as part of our commitment to decongestion, we are working on
designating a parking space for mechanics and their clients. His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama has authorized this initiative, and we are finalizing the necessary arrangements. This will help address the issue of abandoned vehicles cluttering the business district”. Said Mr Nkansah.
“Together, we can transform Ablekuma Central into a cleaner, safer, and more orderly municipality” Mr Nkansah added.
The MCE seized the opportunity to express the Assembly’s profound gratitude to His Excellency, the President of the Republic, John Dramani Mahama for his unwavering commitment to massive infrastructure development across the nation. “His vision has inspired us to take decisive action in improving sanitation within our municipality” he emphasized.
The exercise ended with a call for regular community-led clean-ups and stronger stakeholder collaboration to keep Abossey Okai clean and safe for businesses and residents alike.
Reporting for Community Watch,
Kingsley Asiedu
