Tarkwa: The Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal Assembly in the Western Region has organized a clean-up exercise across three communities to rid the area of accumulated waste. The initiative took place in Cyanide, Kwabedu, and New Atuabo, where residents actively participated in clearing gutters, weeding overgrown areas, and collecting refuse. The collected waste was subsequently removed by waste management trucks for proper disposal.
According to Ghana News Agency, the exercise began at 5:00 am and was backed by the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), and sanitation staff from the assembly. Officers from the GNFS utilized water from their fire thunder equipment to flush out severely clogged drains at key locations like Cyanide junction.
Mr. Alex Damtey, Municipal Environmental Health Officer, stated that the decision to focus on three communities was based on prior experiences of low turnout when a broader clean-up was attempted in Tarkwa. By concentrating efforts on fewer communities, they aimed to achieve more effective monitoring and participation.
Mr. Damtey explained that meetings were held with local chiefs and assembly members to ensure comprehensive community involvement. He noted that the engagement of familiar stakeholders helped in identifying those who did not participate, allowing for accountability and potential consequences to deter non-participation.
He emphasized the positive turnout for the clean-up, attributing it to sensitization efforts initiated a week prior. By 5:00 am, a significant number of residents were already equipped and ready to contribute to the clean-up.
Mr. Dominic Barnes, Assembly member for Cyanide Electoral Area, praised the residents' active involvement and urged them to refrain from dumping waste in drains, highlighting the negative impact it has on the community's reputation.