The Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, has officially launched the Homowo Clean-up exercise.
The initiative, launched at the premises of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), is set to begin on July 2, 2024, and will span a month under the theme “Let’s Keep Accra Clean.”
As such all shops and businesses must remain closed on the day of the exercise to ensure maximum participation.
Addressing the gathering, the Ga Mantse stressed the importance of community involvement and urged leaders of various groups and associations to fully participate in the clean-up efforts.
“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,” he stated.
The campaign aims to promote effective waste management practices, enhance environmental cleanliness, and foster a sense of community ownership and responsibility towards maintaining a clean environment.
It is a collaborative effort between the Ga Traditional Council (GTC) and various government agencies, and will be implemented across all 25 local government authorities within the Greater Accra Region.
Key components of the initiative include household registration for organized waste collection services, education on waste management techniques, and strict enforcement of bye-laws to ensure compliance. King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II warned against politicizing the exercise, emphasizing that environmental cleanliness is a non-partisan issue that affects everyone.
The Ga Mantse called on residents to adhere to sanitation bye-laws, clean their frontages, gutters, and premises, and advocated for the reintroduction of communal labor alongside intensified public education on sanitation. He also announced that a special task force would be deployed to arrest and prosecute individuals who refuse to comply with sanitation regulations.
In addition, the Ga Mantse introduced a competitive aspect to the campaign, with sanitation competitions among schools, communities, markets, and lorry stations. Awards will be given to the cleanest entities, fostering a spirit of friendly competition and community pride.
Corporate institutions in the capital were urged 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 success of the initiative.
Accra Mayor Elizabeth K.T. Sackey expressed her commitment to the campaign, highlighting the importance of a clean environment for the city’s safety and security. She praised the Ga Mantse’s involvement, noting that his participation underscores the gravity of the issue and the collective responsibility required to create a cleaner, healthier Accra.
Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development (MLGDRD), Vincent Ekow Assafuah, commended the Ga Mantse’s leadership and contributions to Accra’s cleanliness. He emphasized that the Homowo festival is deeply rooted in values of cleanliness and community pride.
Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources (MSWR), Lydia Seyram Alhassan, assured that her ministry is fully equipped and ready for the clean-up exercise.
She detailed the resources available, including 30 compaction trucks, over 30 tricycles, thousands of Wellington boots, 15,000 security personnel, a dedicated task force, and environmental health officers to enforce sanitation bye-laws.
Greater Accra Regional Minister, Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover, expressed gratitude to the Ga Traditional Council (GTC) for reviving the ‘Keep Accra Clean’ campaign and noted that the exercise will be implemented in phases, with the first phase launching on July 2 in the Accra metropolitan area.
“We have mobilized resources and forged partnerships to ensure the success of the clean-up exercise,” he assured, reflecting the collective commitment to achieving a cleaner, greener Accra.
As the Homowo Clean-up exercise kicks off, all stakeholders are expected to play an active role in making the campaign a resounding success, contributing to a sustainable and healthy environment for all residents of Accra.
