The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Atwima Mponua, Mr. Issahaq Ibrahim, has issued a strong call to action, urging residents, traders, and institutions in the district to fully embrace the reintroduced monthly national sanitation exercise as directed by President John Dramani Mahama.
Mr. Ibrahim gave the charge when he led last Friday’s clean-up exercise in Nyinahin, the district capital, where assembly members, opinion leaders, youth groups, and some traders participated. Despite the modest turnout, he underscored the urgent need for collective responsibility in fighting poor sanitation, which remains a major cause of diseases across the country.
Sanitation as a Matter of Life and Death
Addressing the gathering, the DCE emphasized that sanitation is not merely a civic duty but a matter of life and death. According to him, the consequences of poor environmental practices go beyond mere inconvenience and can lead to severe sicknesses and even premature deaths.
“In our daily lives, we generate a lot of waste, and we must ensure that we get rid of it properly. Filth kills, it brings diseases, and if we fail to clean our environment, it will ultimately end us in the grave,” Mr. Ibrahim warned.
He linked sanitation directly to public health and national productivity, noting that frequent outbreaks of malaria, cholera, and other sanitation-related illnesses drain families financially while also weakening the country’s workforce.
Traders Cautioned Against Indifference
The DCE expressed concern over the indifference of many shop owners and petty traders who often lock themselves indoors during sanitation exercises, leaving only a few individuals to shoulder the responsibility. He noted that many of these traders also operate without the necessary permits yet disrespect authorities whenever sanitation enforcement operations are conducted.
“This attitude undermines the collective goal of keeping our communities clean and healthy. Let me stress that those who fail to comply with the new directive will face the full rigors of the law without fear or favor. It is not me who will force the law — the law itself will work, and when it does, nobody will be spared regardless of political affiliation,” he cautioned.
Call for Collective Action
Mr. Ibrahim reiterated government’s commitment to safeguarding public health through improved sanitation, stressing that a cleaner environment directly translates into a healthier and more productive society.
He appealed to chiefs, community leaders, market women, religious groups, and the youth to play active roles in mobilizing their communities to participate in the monthly exercise. According to him, sustainable results can only be achieved when every resident accepts sanitation as a shared responsibility.
“Keeping our surroundings clean is not just for government or assemblies. It is for us, our children, and our future. A clean environment means a healthy people, and a healthy people means a prosperous district,” the DCE stressed.
Rekindling a National Culture of Cleanliness
The reintroduction of the monthly sanitation day, first launched under the late President John Evans Atta Mills but later abandoned, is expected to rekindle a culture of environmental cleanliness across Ghana.
Authorities in Atwima Mponua say community sensitization will be intensified to ensure stronger participation in subsequent exercises. In addition, strict enforcement of sanitation by-laws will be prioritized to deter negligence and indiscipline.
Friday’s exercise in Nyinahin may have recorded lower-than-expected turnout, but Mr. Ibrahim expressed optimism that with consistent education, enforcement, and communal spirit, Atwima Mponua will become a model district in sanitation and environmental health.
