The District Chief Executive for the Bongo District Assembly, Hon. Diana Asoketarige Ayamga, has urged all communities and residents in the district to always join the nationwide clean-up exercise as directed by the President, John Dramani Mahama, to reduce the spread of filth-related diseases.Â
She spoke in an interaction with the media in response to the effectiveness of the immediate past nationwide monthly clean-up exercise held in the district.
Hon. Diana Asoketarige Ayamga, expressed disappointment over the attitude of some residents, particularly market women and shop owners, who ignored directives to suspend business activities until the exercise had been completed. She appealed to the public to cooperate fully in future clean-up exercises, emphasizing that maintaining a clean environment is a shared responsibility and that these market women benefit more when the markets are clean.
The immediate past clean-up exercise was led by Hon. Diana Asoketarige Ayamga, and had the Presiding Member, Assembly Members, Heads of Departments, officials of the Ghana Education Service, the Headmaster and staff of Bongo Senior High School, basic school teachers, pupils, and other community members fully participating.
Addressing the gathering, Hon. Diana Ayamga Asoketarige expressed appreciation to all participants for their impressive turnout and commitment to keeping the district clean. She urged residents to make environmental sanitation a daily responsibility, stressing that unclean surroundings create breeding grounds for diseases such as cholera and malaria.
The DCE, however, expressed disappointment over the attitude of some residents, particularly market women and shop owners, who ignored directives to suspend business activities until the exercise had been completed. She warned that such a situation will not be entertained in the next clean-up exercise scheduled for August 2026, hence the need for all residents and business operators to prepare for the day to avoid possible sanctions.
The Overlord of the Bongo Traditional Council, Bonaba Baba Salifu Alemyarum, commended residents and public officials who participated in the exercise, and warned others who continue to disregard sanitation regulations and by-laws to desist to avoid being caught by the long arms of the laws of Ghana.
He announced that, beginning with the next nationwide clean-up exercise, owners of stores in the market and by the road who fail to comply with the District Assembly and Traditional Council directives would be fined GH¢500.
The traditional ruler further urged every household in the district to construct and use household toilets to help eliminate open defecation. He encouraged school children to serve as ambassadors for good sanitation practices by avoiding indiscriminate defecation and promoting cleanliness in their homes and communities.
The exercise forms part of the government’s renewed commitment to improving environmental sanitation and preventing sanitation-related diseases through active community participation.
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