Editorial
Ghanaians deserve commendation for success of national cleaning exercise
- /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Some-of-the-school-children-desilting-choked-gutters.jpg&description=Ghanaians deserve commendation for success of national cleaning exercise', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Some-of-the-school-children-desilting-choked-gutters.jpg&description=Ghanaians deserve commendation for success of national cleaning exercise', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
Dear Editor,
I wish to use this platform to commend Ghanaians for turning up massively to clean their respective communities as part of the national cleaning exercise declared by the president, John Dramani Mahama.
After cleaning my area, I decided to take a stroll across some of the neigbhouring communities.
I got so excited about the numbers that lined up the street and along gutters.
To my surprise, I met a few people who had moved to other areas to support. It was a good sign and reaction from people who have learnt serious lessons from the recent floods.
What we witnessed last Monday sends a clear message that if attitudes about sanitation don’t change, we may encounter more devastating disasters when it rains.
Truth is that the recent rain was quite heavy and continued for a longer time. However, the choked gutters and other drainage worsened the situation.
In one of the many videos that circulated on social media, one could sight a large heap of rubbish covering the surface of the flood water. We are the cause of this menace and Ghanaians must be seen to be showing concern.
With the sanitation issue being tackled gradually, I pray that government through the local assembly finds a way to collect the rubbish from the exercise, lest they wash into the drains again.
Again, the demolition exercises must continue. Building sited on waterways and resulting in flooding must be cleared. Government must try and restore all the wetlands taken over by developers.
Most of the time, the rich people that benefits from these activities do not suffer from the floods. It is the poor that suffers.
I hope that this exercise would be a monthly affair so that at least once in every month, citizens would come out like they did on Friday and Saturday to clean their environment.
Ayekoo to every Ghanaian that participated. Well done to all the Members of Parliament and Ministers of state that also took part. It was leadership by example.
Maxwell Boampong,
Accra Newtown
Dear Editor,
I am alarmed by the increasing rate of plastic waste in our communities.
Bottles, sachet water wrappers and food containers have become a common sight on our streets, markets and in our drainage system. This is gradually turning into an environmental and public health risk.
Improper disposal of plastic waste blocks the drains, causing flooding during rainy season and creating breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
It also pollutes the rivers, lakes and sea, threatening aquatic life and affecting the livelihood of many people especially fishermen.
Although government agencies, environmental organisations and community groups have organised a clean-up exercises, the menace remains a major headache for bodies responsible in tackling the sanitation problems.
There is, therefore, an urgent need for strict enforcement of the sanitation laws, increased investment in recycling facilities and sustained public education on waste management.
Every citizen has a role to play by disposing off waste responsibly, reducing the use of single use plastics and participating in community clean-up exercise.
Protecting the environment is not just a responsibility for the government. It is one for every citizen and our collective actions today will determine the quality life for the future or the next generation.
As a concerned citizen, I hope this issue receive the immediate attention it deserves before plastic waste pollution causes even greater damage to our communities.
Desmond Aidoo,
Sowutuom
Dear Editor,
I am alarmed by the increasing rate of plastic waste in our communities.
Bottles, sachet water wrappers and food containers have become a common sight on our streets, markets and in our drainage system. This is gradually turning into an environmental and public health risk.
Improper disposal of plastic waste blocks the drains, causing flooding during rainy season and creating breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
It also pollutes the rivers, lakes and sea, threatening aquatic life and affecting the livelihood of many people especially fishermen.
Although government agencies, environmental organisations and community groups have organised a clean-up exercises, the menace remains a major headache for bodies responsible in tackling the sanitation problems.
There is, therefore, an urgent need for strict enforcement of the sanitation laws, increased investment in recycling facilities and sustained public education on waste management.
Every citizen has a role to play by disposing off waste responsibly, reducing the use of single use plastics and participating in community clean-up exercise.
Protecting the environment is not just a responsibility for the government. It is one for every citizen and our collective actions today will determine the quality life for the future or the next generation.
As a concerned citizen, I hope this issue receive the immediate attention it deserves before plastic waste pollution causes even greater damage to our communities.
Desmond Aidoo,
Sowutuom
