In a major boost to the government’s renewed National Sanitation Day initiative, Zoomlion Ghana Limited has pledged extensive logistical and equipment support for the nationwide clean-up exercise.
Bernard Benghan and Cynthia Asampana report that during a press briefing at the clean-up exercise on Saturday in Accra, the Director of Monitoring and Service Quality at Zoomlion, Mr Ernest Kusi, reaffirmed the company’s full backing for all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) across the country’s 16 regions.
Leading the initiative was the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, alongside the Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ibrahim Ahmed, and the Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Michael Kpakpo Allotey, with support from Zoomlion and several traditional leaders.
The exercise began at the AMA headquarters and extended through the Central Business District of Accra, Kwame Nkrumah Circle, and Agbogbloshie Market, among other key areas. Participants swept roadsides, desilted drains, and cleared weeds along road medians.
Mr Kusi said Zoomlion’s support included workers, compaction trucks, and essential protective gear such as gloves, boots, and nose masks.
“Zoomlion is committed to supporting all MMDAs nationwide to ensure that the National Sanitation Day is not just a one-day event but continues to advance the President’s Clean Ghana Agenda,” he affirmed.
He added that sanitation was a shared responsibility and called on all Ghanaians to play their part in maintaining cleanliness.
“As a leader in sanitation, we cannot sit idle. Our staff are out there sweeping, desilting drains, and transporting refuse to disposal sites. This is a collective effort,” he emphasised.
Beyond logistics, Mr Kusi revealed that Zoomlion was investing in public education and promoting behavioural change, which he described as “crucial to lasting sanitation improvement.” Through its Zoom Kids Programme, the company has formed sanitation clubs in schools nationwide to instil good environmental habits in children.
He also urged households to acquire waste bins to aid proper refuse storage and disposal, noting that Zoomlion provides bins at subsidised costs.
At the forecourt of the AMA head office, Minister Ibrahim Ahmed underscored that sanitation was not merely a physical task but also a mental and attitudinal exercise.
“We must work on resetting our mindset. Beyond sweeping, let us change our attitudes toward cleanliness,” he underlined, urging the media to champion the sanitation agenda.
He directed MMDCEs to enforce sanitation by-laws and ensure offenders face the sanitation courts. The Minister also hinted at plans to construct modern market facilities across the region to decongest streets and improve trading conditions.
The National Sanitation Day was officially relaunched by President John Dramani Mahama on September 6, 2025, at the Institute of Local Government Studies, as part of the Clean-Up Ghana Agenda aimed at tackling unsanitary conditions and improving public health.
The Ga Mantse, who personally led clean-up campaigns across Tema Station, Agbogbloshie, Kaneshie, and Circle, warned traders against opening shops during the exercise. He instructed queen mothers and local assemblies to enforce compliance.
“Accra must become the cleanest city in the country. Anyone who fails to participate will face sanctions,” he warned.
Regional Participation and Reactions
From La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly (LaDMA):
La Manklalo and Anarhor Mantse, Nii Obodai Adai IV, expressed dissatisfaction with low public participation and urged the Assembly to apply punitive measures.
“I’m disappointed in residents who ignored the exercise. The Assembly must act; this must not be taken lightly,” he lamented.
Deputy Minister of Local Government and MP for La Dade-Kotopon Constituency, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, reiterated that the President expects the revived exercise to safeguard public health, enhance aesthetics, and promote national pride and tourism.
LaDMA MCE, Alfredos Nii Anyetei, cautioned that defaulters would soon face fines or prosecution.
“Before the next sanitation day, persons who refuse to keep their surroundings clean will be sanctioned,” he warned.
From Bolgatanga:
Francis Dabre Dabang reports that the MCE, Roland Atanga Ayoo, declared sanitation his topmost priority and called for community cooperation to sustain cleanliness.
“A dirty environment breeds disease. Keeping our surroundings clean is a collective duty,” he noted.
For him, sanitation is key to livelihood and must be a shared responsibility due to its serious health implications. He spoke during the National Sanitation Day activities held across all 15 Municipal and District Assemblies in the region.
In Bolgatanga, workers from government and private sectors—including the Ghana National Fire Service, Ghana Police Service, sanitation officers, political leaders, and the media—hit the central business market to take part in the exercise.
Mr Ayoo expressed satisfaction with the large turnout and encouraged the public to remain committed to cleaning the environment.
“As you know, a very dirty environment causes diseases. We owe it a duty to keep the place clean. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that our streets, schools, churches, markets, and surrounding communities are kept clean and healthy for our own growth,” he advised.
He said the mobilisation reflected the government’s “burning desire” to act on its resetting agenda by delivering on a comprehensive sanitation and waste management strategy.
The Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga Central, Isaac Adongo, who also joined the clean-up, encouraged residents to make sanitation a daily habit rather than a monthly activity.
David Abesiba, Co-Director for Cleanmop Company Limited and South Wind Services, pledged continued support for the initiative. The company, which is into waste management, will continue partnering with the Bolgatanga Assembly to rid the town of filth.
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