Shani Alhassan Shaibu
The Northern Regional Minister, Shani Alhassan Shaibu, has launched the operation ‘Clean Northern Region’ campaign in Tamale, the Northern regional capital, to rid the city of filth.
Addressing the media at the launch last Thursday, the minister disclosed that Saturday, May 29, 2021 has been set as the Northern Regional Sanitation Day.
He entreated all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in collaboration with Zoomlion Ghana and all parties to carry out community mobilisations and embark on clean-up exercises in all communities across the region.
He indicated that the exercise will include activities such as clearing of refuse heaps, collection of plastics, cleaning of gutters and desilting of drainages among others.
“All MMDAs are therefore, tasked to identify spots that require thorough cleaning in all major towns within their districts. Zoomlion Ghana will assist in making available all required implements to ensure the success of the exercise,” he said.
“We also expect all MMDCEs to engage with traditional rulers, religious leaders, market women, members of GPRTU, youth groups, political parties, opinion leaders and all other stakeholders to get them on board for the success of the exercise. No group should be left out,” he added.
He declared that every last Saturday of every month shall be observed as a Northern Regional Sanitation Day.
He also used the occasion to inaugurate a five-member Regional Sensitisation Committee to be headed by the Regional Environmental Health Officer to roll out sensitisation activities after the launch.
The committee will work to realise the objectives of the operation “Clean Northern Region” campaign starting on May 29, 2021.
Other members of the Committee include the Information Service Department (ISD), National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), a representative of the Regional Integrated Committee on Sanitation (RICS) and a representative of the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).
The committee will carry out sensitisation programmes on Radio, TV and other mediums of communication to the general public and bring up enthusiasm and support for the clean-up programmes.
He appealed to chiefs, religious leaders, opinion leaders, youth groups, market women and all concerned, to add their voices and commitment to ensure the success of the exercise on May 29, 2021 and, the subsequent sanitation days to help avoid the outbreak of diseases most especially, cholera, typhoid fevers, malaria among others.
FROM Eric Kombat, Tamale