Kpone-katamanso: Mr Samuel Tetteh Kwashie Morton, the Kpone-Katamanso Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), has emphasized the importance of the monthly National Sanitation Day, urging residents to participate actively in maintaining the cleanliness of the Kpone Laaloi Beach to safeguard public health and promote tourism.
According to Ghana News Agency, during the May edition of the sanitation exercise held at the Kpone Laaloi Beach, Mr Morton highlighted the beach's significance as a tourist attraction that could enhance the local economy if properly maintained. He noted that the beach serves not only as a recreational center but also as a vital source of livelihood for many fisherfolk and traders in the municipality. He called on both the Municipal Assembly and residents to take collective responsibility in keeping the area clean.
The MCE warned that the Assembly would enforce punitive measures against individuals who dispose of waste indiscriminately along the coastline. He described such actions as unacceptable in a modern municipality and stressed that maintaining sanitation is a shared responsibility, not just the duty of the Assembly. Mr Morton urged community leaders and residents to change their attitudes towards waste disposal.
Mr George Freeman, the Kpone-Katamanso Municipal Environmental Health Officer, revealed that the Assembly plans to implement its by-laws on sanitation to sanction offenders. He pointed out that the government spends significant funds each year to remove refuse from open spaces and drains, which he deemed detrimental to national development. Mr Freeman emphasized the necessity of adopting responsible waste management practices to prevent wasteful expenditure and redirect funds towards infrastructure projects like roads, schools, and health facilities.
The sanitation exercise, involving assembly officials, environmental health staff, youth groups, and residents, focused on clearing plastic waste and debris along the beachfront. This exercise takes place on the first Saturday of every month across the country, aiming to promote a clean and healthy environment.