National Sanitation Day: Sekyere Kumawu DCE ‘Tom C’ Shuns Media, Says He’s Not Ready to Talk
The National Sanitation Day exercise held at Bodomase in the Sekyere Kumawu District of the Ashanti Region on Saturday witnessed massive community participation but was marred by controversy when the District Chief Executive (DCE), Hon. Akwasi Amankwa, popularly known as Tom C, reportedly refused to grant interviews to the media.
The monthly exercise, which aims to promote cleanliness and civic responsibility across the country, saw hundreds of residents, including assembly members, Zoomlion staff, market women, youth volunteers, and local leaders, trooping out early in the morning to desilt gutters, sweep the streets, and clear refuse dumps around the Bodomase market and other key locations.
While the exercise was generally successful, an unexpected incident occurred when journalists covering the event approached Hon. Amankwa for an official comment on the district’s sanitation progress and the government’s ongoing environmental initiatives. The DCE, however, declined to speak, telling the media he was “not ready to talk.”
Hon. Amankwa explained that he was “not aware of the coming of any journalist to cover the clean-up exercise” and therefore saw no reason to engage with the media. His response surprised many, as journalists had been present from the start of the exercise to document the community’s efforts and the assembly’s involvement.
His response left several reporters stunned and disappointed, as they had expected to highlight the efforts of the district assembly and provide public updates through their platforms. Many viewed his action as a show of disregard for the media’s role in governance and public accountability.
According to eyewitnesses, the DCE’s refusal created a brief moment of unease among participants. Some assembly members and local residents who witnessed the incident expressed concern, saying leaders must always engage the media to help communicate government policies and developmental progress to the people.
One journalist who preferred anonymity described the incident as “unfortunate,” stressing that the media is not an adversary but a partner in national development. “We were there to promote the work being done in the district, not to embarrass anyone. His refusal to talk sends a wrong signal,” the reporter lamented.
Despite the misunderstanding, the sanitation exercise continued smoothly. Workers cleared heaps of waste, cleaned drains, and collected refuse for disposal with the support of Zoomlion Ghana Limited and the district assembly’s sanitation department.
Community members commended the initiative and called for more sustained efforts to maintain cleanliness in public spaces. They also urged authorities to provide adequate sanitation tools, logistics, and education to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment in Sekyere Kumawu.
Some residents, however, appealed to Hon. Amankwa to maintain a cordial relationship with the media, noting that open communication helps build trust and transparency between government officials and the public.
The National Sanitation Day initiative, introduced by the Government of Ghana in 2014, continues to serve as a vital platform to encourage community participation in environmental cleanliness and instill a sense of civic duty among citizens.
While the Bodomase exercise achieved its goal of improving local sanitation, the DCE’s decision to shun the media has drawn public attention and debate, with many urging political leaders to embrace media engagement as a cornerstone of effective governance.
Residents hope that future exercises in the Sekyere Kumawu District will not only focus on physical cleanliness but also strengthen collaboration among the assembly, the media, and the public to promote transparency, unity, and shared responsibility in community development.
