The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Offinso North in the Ashanti region , Hon. Caesar Ofosu Acheampong, has called on residents to embrace proper sanitation practices, stressing that communities must not wait for disasters to occur before taking action to keep their environment clean.
He said maintaining clean surroundings was essential to preventing disease outbreaks, reducing the risk of flooding and promoting healthier communities, particularly as the rainy season approaches.
Hon. Acheampong made the call during a two-day government-led sanitation exercise at Akomadan, where hundreds of residents, market women, youth groups and other stakeholders participated in a massive clean-up campaign.
Addressing participants, the DCE urged residents, especially traders and market women, to ensure that markets, homes and public spaces remained clean at all times.
“We should not wait for a disaster or for someone to become a victim before we prioritise sanitation,” he stated. “Let us sweep our environment regularly, desilt our drains and dispose of waste properly.”
He noted that poor sanitation remained one of the leading causes of preventable diseases and flooding in many communities, adding that sustained cleanliness was critical to safeguarding public health.
Hon. Acheampong warned that the Assembly would strictly enforce sanitation regulations by sanctioning individuals and businesses that fail to comply with clean-up directives issued by the authorities.
According to him, the enforcement measures are intended to deter irresponsible environmental practices and encourage residents to take ownership of their surroundings.
He further described sanitation as a collective responsibility, calling on traditional authorities, assembly members, opinion leaders and community-based organisations to champion cleanliness campaigns within their respective communities.
The DCE commended residents who participated in the exercise and encouraged them to maintain the momentum by making environmental cleanliness a daily habit rather than an occasional activity.
The sanitation exercise forms part of the Government’s nationwide initiative to improve environmental sanitation, reduce the incidence of flooding and safeguard public health across the country.
Organisers indicated that similar clean-up exercises would be held regularly throughout the district to ensure communities remain clean, healthy and resilient against sanitation-related challenges.
