The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Krowor, Paul Afotey Quaye, has identified human attitude as the biggest challenge confronting efforts to improve sanitation in the municipality.

According to him, while authorities and partners continue to introduce initiatives to keep the environment clean, indiscriminate disposal of waste by some residents continues to undermine these efforts.

Mr. Afotey Quaye made the remarks during a community beach clean-up exercise held at Ananse Beach in Accra to kick off Francophone Month celebrations in Ghana.

The exercise formed part of the first Umuganda clean up exercise organised by members of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) in Ghana. The event brought together diplomats, local authorities and residents of the Krowor Municipality to promote environmental cleanliness and community participation.

The Ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire’s to Ghana, Assiélou Félix Tanon who also serves as the Dean of OIF member ountries in Ghana as well as the Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Ghana, Rosemary Mbabazi participated heavily in the clean up exercise.

Speaking at the event, Mr Afotey Quaye commended the OIF and the diplomatic community for partnering with the municipality to address sanitation challenges in the area.

“With more partnership, we can keep our beaches and communities clean,” he said.

However, he stressed that lasting improvement in sanitation would require a change in the attitude of residents, particularly with regard to waste disposal.

He urged residents to stop dumping rubbish into the lagoons within the municipality, explaining that the waste eventually flows into the sea and later washes back onto the beaches.

Mr Afotey Quaye disclosed that the Municipal Assembly is currently working on a proposal submitted by a non-governmental organisation to install interceptors in the lagoons.

According to him, the interceptors will help trap rubbish thrown into the lagoons and prevent it from entering the sea.

Some residents who participated in the clean-up exercise also welcomed the initiative and called for more community-driven sanitation activities.

One of the residents, Nii Ayitey, said he was motivated to take part in the exercise because he wants the beaches in the area to remain clean.

He explained that he often pays some people to help clean portions of the beach and therefore felt compelled to join the exercise.

Mr Ayitey also commended the organisers of the clean-up exercise, noting that such initiatives help raise awareness and encourage residents to take responsibility for the cleanliness of their environment.

The beach clean-up ended on a lively note as participants engaged in games and social interactions, reflecting the spirit of solidarity and community cooperation promoted through the Umuganda initiative.