Greater Accra Regional Minister Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo has rallied residents to prioritize collective cleanliness as part of a renewed push to tackle sanitation challenges in Ghana’s capital.
Speaking at the launch of Regional Sanitation Day on February 28, 2025, in Madina, Ocloo framed the initiative as a civic duty aligned with President John Dramani Mahama’s revived National Sanitation Day program, which seeks to curb disease outbreaks and unmanaged urban waste.
Hundreds of volunteers, including market traders and local youth groups, joined the early-morning cleanup at Madina Zongo Junction, clearing clogged drains and sweeping streets across neighborhoods such as Pantang, Atomic Junction, and Davy Junction. Ocloo praised the turnout but stressed that the effort must extend beyond symbolic gestures. “Sanitation isn’t a one-off event—it’s a daily commitment,” she said, urging roadside vendors to relocate to designated markets and warning that filthy environments “turn hard-earned money into hospital bills.”
The minister’s appeal comes amid lingering public health concerns. Accra has historically grappled with cholera outbreaks linked to poor waste management, a crisis exacerbated by rapid population growth and informal settlements. While Ocloo acknowledged the role of government-led policies, she called for grassroots accountability, stating, “We cannot outsource cleanliness. It starts with every citizen.”
Private waste management firms, including industry leader Zoomlion Ghana Limited, backed the initiative with equipment and personnel. Zoomlion’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Sophia Kudjordji, emphasized collaboration but argued for stricter enforcement of anti-littering laws. “Without penalties, progress will stall,” she told reporters, highlighting the need to “shift mindsets, not just collect trash.”
The event drew cautious optimism from residents. While some lauded the government’s focus on sanitation, others questioned its long-term impact. “Cleanups are good, but where do we dump the waste afterward?” asked a Madina shopkeeper, pointing to overflowing public bins that often remain uncollected for days. Urban planners echo these concerns, noting that Accra’s waste infrastructure lags behind its population boom.
Regional Sanitation Day revives a recurring debate about accountability in Ghana’s environmental governance. Though similar programs have temporarily improved conditions, critics argue they often lack follow-through, leaving communities to revert to old habits. For Ocloo, however, the launch marks a starting point. “This is about building a legacy of health,” she said, “one sweep at a time.”
As compactors hauled away debris from the morning’s efforts, volunteers expressed hope the momentum would last. For Accra, the true test lies not in single-day triumphs but in sustaining the messy, daily work of keeping a city clean.
