Ningo-prampram: The Ningo-Prampram District Assembly (NiPDA) actively participated in the National Sanitation Day exercise to address the aftermath of the recent floods and to mitigate the risk of disease outbreaks in affected communities. The initiative, beginning at 0700 hours on Friday, involved collaboration among NiPDA officials, the Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Fire Service, the Ghana Navy, Zoomlion Ghana Limited, and community members.
According to Ghana News Agency, the exercise was initiated following a directive from President John Dramani Mahama for a nationwide sanitation campaign. Mr. Raphael Uriel Nartey, the Ningo-Prampram District Chief Executive (DCE), stated that the assembly, alongside security services and Zoomlion, provided essential logistics such as wheelbarrows, cutlasses, and rakes to facilitate the clean-up. The participation rate for this exercise was notably higher than usual, as residents recognized the critical need to address the flood's consequences.
Communities such as Prampram Landing Beach, Afienya, Old Ningo, Awiam, and Omankope were identified as severely affected areas, with floodwaters depositing significant debris. Mr. Nartey emphasized the importance of maintaining clean environments and urged residents to avoid disposing of waste in drains and water bodies to prevent future floods and disease outbreaks. He highlighted the floods as a lesson in shared responsibility for environmental cleanliness.
Madam Evelyn Nani, the District Environmental Health Officer, explained that the clean-up focused on clearing waste accumulated at Prampram Landing Beach and unclogging drains along the shoreline. She praised the community's participation, noting that involvement was more significant than in previous exercises. Moving forward, the district plans to include security services in regular monthly clean-up activities to maintain public engagement.
Madam Nani also noted that the assembly would strengthen the enforcement of sanitation by-laws and has established a task force to monitor cleanliness across the district. While no disease outbreaks have been recorded post-floods, proactive measures such as waste evacuation from unauthorized sites have been implemented. During inspections, structures erected on waterways were identified as contributors to the flooding, and National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) officials have marked these for removal to restore natural water flow.