Accra’s Homowo Clean-up Exercise to Close All Shops on July 2: A Month-long Campaign for Environmental Stewardship
The Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, has announced a significant initiative to improve environmental cleanliness in Accra, with all shops mandated to close on July 2, 2024, to participate in the Homowo Clean-up exercise.
The launch took place on June 21, 2024, at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), emphasizing the importance of community involvement in the clean-up campaign.
King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II stated, “We expect all shops and businesses in the designated area to close on the day of the exercise. We also urge leaders of various groups and associations to participate fully.” This initiative is part of a broader, month-long campaign titled “Let’s Keep Accra Clean,” aiming to foster good waste management practices, enhance environmental cleanliness, and instill a sense of responsibility within the community.
The campaign, organized in collaboration with the Ga Traditional Council (GTC) and various government agencies, will be implemented across all 25 local government authorities in the Greater Accra Region. It will include household registration for organized waste collection services, education on waste management techniques, and enforcement of bye-laws to ensure compliance with waste management regulations.
King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II warned against politicizing the exercise, stressing that environmental cleanliness is a universal concern that transcends political affiliations. He urged all residents to adhere strictly to sanitation bye-laws, maintain cleanliness in their frontages, gutters, and premises, and called for the reintroduction of communal labor and intensified public education on sanitation. A special task force will be deployed to arrest and prosecute those who fail to comply with the sanitation bye-laws.
The Ga Mantse also highlighted the need for the Assemblies to fulfill their responsibilities by providing refuse bins at strategic locations. He introduced a novel aspect to the campaign—sanitation competitions. Schools, communities, markets, and lorry stations will compete for the cleanest status, with awards motivating participants to excel, fostering a spirit of friendly competition and community pride.
In his address, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II urged corporate institutions in the capital to adopt sustainable practices and green policies that prioritize environmental well-being. In a show of support, collaborating government ministries pledged their resources and expertise to ensure the initiative’s success, demonstrating their commitment to a cleaner, greener Accra.
Accra Mayor Elizabeth K.T. Sackey echoed the importance of a clean environment for safety and security. She praised the Ga Mantse’s involvement, stating, “His Majesty’s participation underscores the gravity of this issue and the collective responsibility we must embrace to create a cleaner, healthier Accra for all.” Mayor Sackey committed the AMA to ensuring the clean-up exercise’s success, promising thorough efforts in the pursuit of a cleaner, greener, and healthier Accra.
Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development (MLGDRD), Vincent Ekow Assafuah, lauded the Ga Mantse’s leadership and contributions to Accra’s cleanliness. He highlighted the Homowo festival’s significance, noting it is more than a celebration but a reflection of cultural heritage rooted in cleanliness and community pride.
Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources (MSWR), Lydia Seyram Alhassan, affirmed her ministry’s readiness for the clean-up exercise, unveiling a robust arsenal of resources. This includes 30 compaction trucks, over 30 tricycles, thousands of Wellington boots, 15,000 security personnel, a dedicated task force, and environmental health officers tasked with enforcing sanitation bye-laws. She called on every citizen in Accra to actively participate in making the campaign a success.
Greater Accra Regional Minister, Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover, expressed gratitude to the Ga Traditional Council (GTC) for revitalizing the ‘Keep Accra Clean’ campaign and acknowledged his predecessor’s efforts. He assured that the exercise will be implemented in phases, starting on July 2 in the Accra metropolitan area, with mobilized resources and partnerships ensuring the clean-up exercise’s success.
The Homowo Clean-up exercise represents a significant step towards a cleaner, more sustainable Accra. With the combined efforts of the community, traditional leaders, government agencies, and corporate entities, the initiative aims to transform the city into a model of environmental stewardship and community pride.
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Source: Myjoyonline
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