The Effutu Municipal Assembly on Saturday, January 24, 2026 joined the rest of the country in observing the 2026 National Sanitation Day with a large-scale community clean-up exercise aimed at promoting environmental cleanliness and safeguarding public health.The exercise, organized by the Assembly through its Environmental Health Department, took place on Saturday across the Penkye, Eyipe, and Dwoma electoral areas—communities largely situated along the coastline and vulnerable to sanitation-related health risks.Commencing at 6:00 a.m., the activity brought together residents, assembly members, environmental health officers, security agencies, and other key stakeholders. Participants engaged in desilting gutters, clearing refuse from drainage systems, and removing waste dumped indiscriminately in public spaces, actions intended to reduce the risk of flooding and the outbreak of sanitation-related diseases.Addressing participants during the exercise, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Hon. Rev. Atta Mensah, underscored the critical role of sanitation in public health and environmental sustainability. He commended the President of the Republic, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, for prioritizing sanitation as a national development agenda.“Dirt breeds disease, and indiscriminate dumping of refuse into gutters creates unsafe and unhealthy living conditions,” Rev. Atta Mensah stated. “Maintaining a clean environment is essential to building a healthier municipality.”He further urged residents to take collective responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean, calling for greater community involvement in sanitation efforts to make Winneba one of the cleanest municipalities in the region. He encouraged residents to comply with environmental by-laws and adopt positive sanitation practices, noting that cleanliness is fundamental to development and social well-being.The Environmental Health and Sanitation Officer, Madam Susana Martinson, lauded residents for their strong participation and cooperation. She cautioned against poor waste management practices, particularly indiscriminate dumping, and highlighted the serious health risks associated with unsanitary environments, including the spread of communicable diseases. She encouraged households and communities to embrace proper waste disposal methods and maintain cleanliness at all times.The exercise concluded successfully, with refuse removed from major drainage systems, resulting in improved water flow and visibly cleaner surroundings. The Effutu Municipal Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to continuous sanitation education and the strict enforcement of environmental health by-laws to ensure a clean, safe, and healthy municipality.
STORY BY: CHARLES BAAH ABOAGYE & BLESSING GADEKA -ISD
Last modified: January 26, 2026
