Agbogbloshi Residents Join Queen Mother in Sanitation Exercise to Change Community Narrative
In a bold and inspiring initiative to reclaim the dignity and cleanliness of one of Accra’s most talked-about communities, the Development Queen Mother of Korle Wonkon at Agbogbloshi, Naa Okaikar Adesgba I, has led a community-wide clean-up exercise aimed at transforming the sanitation situation in the area. The event forms part of activities in preparation for the upcoming Homowo Festival.
Held over the weekend, the exercise attracted enthusiastic participation from residents, market women, youth groups, and community leaders, all united by a common goal — to erase the negative perception that Agbogbloshi is one of the dirtiest places in Ghana.
Speaking to the media during the exercise, Naa Okaikar Adesgba I stressed that Agbogbloshi is not just a bustling commercial center but also a vibrant residential community whose residents deserve a clean and healthy environment.
“Agbogbloshi is not only a market; it’s a home for thousands of people. It’s time we change the narrative that this community is dirty. We live here, raise our families here, and we must do everything possible to ensure it is clean and safe,” she declared.
She emphasized that the exercise was not only a practical intervention but also an educational campaign aimed at raising awareness about the importance of environmental hygiene and responsible waste disposal. The Queen Mother also expressed concern about the widespread dumping of refuse in the area by outsiders, saying many people bring waste from other parts of the city and dump it in Agbogbloshi without regard for the health and reputation of the community.
“It is very painful that most of the waste found in our streets is not even generated here. People come from outside just to dispose of their rubbish here. This has painted a wrong picture about our people. We will not allow this to continue,” she stated firmly.
Naa Okaikar Adesgba I used the occasion to thank the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) for its support in providing sanitation tools and logistical assistance to make the exercise a success. She also called for continuous collaboration between the local authorities and traditional leaders to tackle sanitation issues across the city.
“We appreciate AMA for standing with us in this effort. We hope this partnership continues beyond today because sanitation is not a one-day job. It must be part of our daily culture,” she said.
Residents who participated in the clean-up praised the Queen Mother’s leadership and commitment to change. Many expressed a renewed sense of responsibility and pledged to continue the clean-up exercises regularly, even after the Homowo celebrations.
One youth leader, speaking during the event, noted, “We are proud of our Queen Mother for taking this step. It has motivated all of us. We want people to know Agbogbloshi is not a dumping ground — it is a community full of hardworking, decent people.”
The clean-up exercise also featured public education sessions on proper waste segregation, the use of dustbins, and the health risks associated with poor sanitation.
As the Homowo Festival approaches, the community hopes this initiative will set the tone for a cleaner, healthier, and more dignified Agbogbloshi — a place not defined by filth, but by unity, resilience, and pride.
