The Old Tafo Municipal Assembly in the Ashanti region has organised a mass clean-up exercise ahead of Ghana’s 69th Independence Day celebration.

The exercise, held across principal streets and public spaces within the municipality, forms part of activities marking the national celebration and promoting environmental sanitation.

It was led by the Municipal NADMO Coordinator, Mohammed Musa, who rallied residents to participate in keeping the community clean and free from diseases.

He explained that the initiative aligns with the directive of President Mahama, which mandates every constituency and municipality to observe a clean-up exercise during the first week of every month.

According to him, maintaining a clean environment is not only a civic responsibility but also a moral obligation for residents, especially in a religious community.

He urged citizens to cultivate good sanitation habits and actively participate in communal labour.

The NADMO Coordinator expressed concern over the low turnout of residents, particularly those living along gutters, who often fail to show up during the monthly clean-up exercises.

He warned against the indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drains, noting that such practices contribute to flooding and the breeding of mosquitoes, which can lead to disease outbreaks.

“We are pleading with residents to support this exercise. When we throw rubbish into the gutters, we are creating problems for ourselves. It causes flooding and breeds mosquitoes. Let us all take responsibility for our environment,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Assembly Member for the Asuo Afram Electoral Area, Kwame Antwi, has commended the government’s initiative, describing it as a step in the right direction toward preventing diseases and maintaining cleanliness in the municipality.

He appealed to the government to consider organizing the exercise twice every month to further reduce filth in communities.

“This initiative is helping to prevent diseases and outbreaks in our community. If possible, we are appealing to the government to make it twice a month so that our environment will remain clean at all times,” he said.