3rd National Sanitation Exercise Receives Low Public Participation


The first National Sanitation Day of the year and the third since its inception nationwide has received low patronage. 

Radio Ghana's visit to the central business district of Accra showed that most people were busy displaying their wares whiles some drivers were seen going about their normal business instead of participating in the event.

Participation in the National Sanitation Day in Sekondi Takoradi was very poor as most people stayed indoors. 

Only a few people were seen desilting the drains and sweeping the street. Both the Takoradi and Sekondi markets were opened as usual at 6am for traders to do business while transport also runs. 

Speaking to newsmen after the exercise, the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolitan Chief Executive Captain Anthony Cudjoe said the National Sanitation Day is a national duty and all should take part in it. 

He stressed the need for more sensitisation to whip up public interest in it.

The Ashanti region witnessed a massive turn out by not just residents of the regional capital, Kumasi, but also actively participated by high profile public figures. 

According to Radio Ghana's Correspondent, Nicholas Osei-Wusu, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu, in whose honour the exercise was organized, also took part and has assured the organizers of his continuous personal participation in all subsequent editions to ensure its sustainability.

Meanwhile, the Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, Isaac Ashai Odamttem has cautioned recalcitrant traders who engage in trading activities within the three hour period of clean up exercise during the Sanitation Day to desist from such acts. 

He said those caught during the said period will have their items sized in accordance with the 2007 District Assembly By -law.  

Mr. Odamtten gave the warning when he and some health officials from the Metropolis in the company of some police personnel spotted some traders at TESPO in Baatsona selling during the cleanup exercise.

He said the exercise is not meant for some selected individuals but a collective effort which will help improve sanitation and reduce the outbreak of diseases especially cholera among residents. 

He noted that  before the introduction of the  Sanitation  Day the Assembly  was organizing cleanup exercises in the various electoral areas led by assembly members  to  as a way of inculcating environmental attitudes into the people .

The Tema Deputy Regional Commander of Police, Kojo Appiagyei was unhappy with some traders and residents who were looking on whiles others were vigorously cleaning up the market.  He sounded this word of caution to traders who will engage in business activities the next Sanitation day 
 
GBC