The Birim North District Assembly (BNDA) has embarked on a clean-up exercise across the District o mark the National Sanitation Day, amid strict enforcement of sanitation bye-laws by Public Health Officers.
The exercise, which formed part of efforts to promote environmental cleanliness and encourage full public participation in the town-wide campaign to make Birim North cleaner, safer, and healthier, saw the Assembly desilting major drains, brushing of road kerbs, sweeping and removal of obstructions from the streets in major areas including the Abirem Market, Abirem-Afosu SHS and all major principal streets within the District.
Addressing the media after the exercise, the DCE, Hakeem Abdul Antwi, expressed satisfaction with the turnout and commended majority of the traders, Assembly officials and sanitation officers.
“First of all, I want to thank the good people of Ghana for always listening to us whenever there is information about National Sanitation Day. Initially, the filth in our township was just too much but now it has reduced due to the support by the Fire Service. But in all, we’re urging the people to partake in this exercise, it’s communal initiative not Assembly project, our people must partake in it. We’re improving and we will ensure that everyone take part in this exercise. I truly appreciate our people for being wonderful people and law-abiding citizens,” he said.
The DCE noted that the Assembly has made significant progress.
“You can see the great work that has been done. As we said, we are still here, working to sustain these improvements. My overall observation today is that we are having low turnout but many people have supported us, and I am very pleased with the turnout,” he added.
The DCE however, cautioned that individuals who violated the bye-laws by opening their shops during or before the exercise would face sanctions, stressing that enforcement was crucial to sustaining discipline and preventing indiscriminate dumping.
“We will make sure the laws are enforced, and these few people will serve as examples to demonstrate that our bye – laws are effective. Without the enforcement of these bye – laws, people might act carelessly, for example, turning gutters into dumping sites,” he warned.
The District Environmental Health Analyst, Binjome, acknowledged the continuous role of the Sanitation Court in promoting compliance, expressing optimism that such enforcement mechanisms would ensure long-term discipline in the District.
“Let me emphasise that cleanliness must be a lifestyle for everyone. You cannot keep your home neat while walking in a dirty environment. I am once again pleading and appealing, as I often do, that whenever we see a choked gutter or an unclean environment, we take action, alert people around, or report it directly to the BNDA office.
He warned that persons who have flouted the by-laws will face court actions, maintaining a stricter punishment will be given to such people.
The DCE reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to sustaining the gains made under the “Resetting Ghana Agenda” and reiterated that maintaining cleanliness in the Municipality was a shared civic responsibility.
