Northern Regional Minister, Shani Alhassan Shaibu
The Northern Regional Minister, Shani Alhassan Shaibu has launched the operation ‘Clean Northern Region’ campaign in Tamale, the Northern region.
Addressing the media at the operation ‘Clean Northern Region’ campaign launch, the Northern Regional Minister disclosed that Saturday, 29th May 2021 is 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 mobilizations to embark on clean-up exercises in all major communities and district across the region.
He added that the exercise should include activities such as clearing of refuse, heaps, collection of plastics rubbers, 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.
We also expect all MMDCEs to engage with traditional rulers, religious leader, market women, 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 declared that every last Saturday of every month shall be a Northern Regional Sanitation Day.
He also inaugurated a five (5) Member Regional Sensitization Committee to be headed by the Regional Environmental Health Officer is been constituted to roll out sensitization activities after the launch.
The committee will work to realize the objectives of the operation “Clean Northern Region” campaign up to the 28th of May, 2021.
Other members of the Committee will 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 Organoonn (CSOs).
The committee will carry out sensitization 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 29th May, 2021 and, the subsequent sanitation days as pronounced to curtail the outbreak of diseases most especially, cholera, typhoid fevers, malaria among others.
“I again want to use this opportunity to call on all groups such as the GPRTU to also support this exercise by halting movement of all vehicles on the 29t May 2021 and subsequent sanitation days till 12 noon to ensure the success of the campaign.
Market leaders, youth groups and all political parties should come together and urge all their members to fully participate in the exercise.”
The Northern region has made good progress in dealing with open defecation, coming from 21.5% in 2016 to 61.4% in 2020 and, 62.6% for 2021 in CLTS situation in the region, it is sad to note that, available data from the Environmental Health and Sanitation Unit indicates worrying trends in Open Defecation in the various communities in the region.
The situation is worst within the Tamale Metropolis and surrounding major towns such as Sagnarigu, Savelugu, Kumbungu and Tolon as compared to far districts such as, Yendi, Kpandai and Tatale.
FROM Eric Kombat, Tamale