The maiden National Sanitation Day cleanup exercise, following the recent relaunch of the initiative, has been held in Accra, bringing together government officials, traditional leaders, and citizens in a unified effort to promote cleanliness and environmental health across the capital.
The exercise was jointly led by the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, the Ga Mantse, His Royal Majesty King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, the Mayor of Accra, the Municipal Chief Executives of Ablekuma Central and Korle Klottey, the Sempe Mantse, and the Wolomei of the Ga Traditional Area.
Starting from the premises of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), the team moved through key areas, including Tudu, Kantamanto, Agbogbloshie Market, Abbossey Okai, and finally to the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, inspecting the extent of public participation and compliance. Market women, shop owners, transport operators, and residents were seen sweeping, desilting gutters, and properly disposing of refuse along the route.
Addressing the media, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim underscored the importance of maintaining a clean capital city as a foundation for national progress and public health.
“Accra is Ghana’s capital and must reflect our collective discipline and responsibility,” he said. “A clean nation is a healthy nation, and a healthy nation drives economic growth.”
He also stressed the need to improve sanitary conditions in market centres across the country, describing markets as the lifeblood of community commerce and public nutrition.
“Where we eat is the market,” the Minister noted. “It is therefore important that our markets remain clean and safe. Government plans to develop ultramodern markets that promote hygienic and sanitary conditions for the good of our people — not only in the Ga State, but across all communities in Ghana. These markets will be constructed under the 24-Hour Economy Programme to ensure round-the-clock productivity and improved livelihoods.”
The Ga Mantse, His Royal Majesty King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, commended the collaboration between government and traditional authorities, emphasising that cleanliness reflects the dignity and prosperity of the people.
“As the father and overlord of Accra, it is my duty to ensure that the city remains clean. Cleanliness brings prosperity and good health to our people,” he said.
The Sempe Mantse and the Wolomei of the Ga Traditional Area also pledged their continuous support for the initiative, calling on residents to sustain the effort beyond the monthly exercises.
The Mayor of Accra praised the high level of participation, noting that the unity displayed among traditional leaders, local authorities, and citizens signals a renewed civic consciousness about sanitation.
While the exercise took place in Accra, similar cleanup activities were simultaneously carried out across all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) nationwide. Each MMDA led local mobilisation efforts, rallying community members, town leaders, and residents to participate actively in cleaning their surroundings.
The coordinated effort, spearheaded by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, reinforces the government’s vision of making sanitation a collective civic duty and a permanent national culture.
Following the exercise, the government officially declared that the first Saturday of every month will henceforth be observed as National Sanitation Day. On this day, citizens across the country are required to clean their surroundings, including homes, markets, shops, and public spaces, between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. All markets and shops are to remain closed during these hours to ensure full participation. The directive forms part of the government’s broader commitment to maintaining clean, healthy, and sustainable communities nationwide.
