Accra Shops to Close for Homowo Clean-up on July 2

The Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, has announced the Homowo Clean-up exercise, mandating that all shops remain closed on the designated day. The initiative was launched at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) premises on Friday, June 21, 2024.

“All shops and businesses in the specified area must shut down on the day of the clean-up. We also call on leaders of various groups and associations to participate fully,” stated the Ga Mantse during the launch.

The clean-up exercise will begin on July 2 and will span one month under the theme “Let’s Keep Accra Clean.” This campaign aims to promote effective waste management, enhance environmental cleanliness, and foster a sense of community responsibility towards environmental care.

The initiative, a joint effort between the Ga Traditional Council (GTC) and other governmental bodies, will cover all 25 local government areas in the Greater Accra Region. Activities will include household registration for organised waste collection services, waste management education, and enforcement of bylaws to ensure adherence to waste management regulations.

The Ga Mantse stressed the non-political nature of the exercise, highlighting that environmental cleanliness is a universal concern. He urged residents to follow sanitation bylaws diligently, clean their surroundings, and advocated for the reintroduction of communal labour and increased public sanitation education.

A special task force will be deployed to apprehend and prosecute those who defy the sanitation bylaws. The Ga Mantse also called on local authorities to provide refuse bins at strategic locations.

An added feature of the clean-up campaign will be sanitation competitions, with awards for the cleanest schools, communities, markets, and lorry stations. These awards aim to encourage participants to exceed expectations, fostering a spirit of friendly competition and community pride.

King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II also encouraged corporate institutions in Accra to adopt sustainable practices and green policies for environmental well-being. Government ministries pledged their support, showcasing their dedication to a cleaner Accra.

Accra Mayor Elizabeth K.T. Sackey highlighted the importance of a clean environment for safety and security and praised the Ga Mantse’s involvement. “His Majesty’s participation highlights the seriousness of this issue and the collective responsibility we must embrace to create a cleaner, healthier Accra,” she said. The AMA, she assured, will make every effort to ensure the clean-up exercise is successful.

Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD), Vincent Ekow Assafuah, commended the Ga Mantse’s leadership and contributions to Accra’s cleanliness. He noted that the Homowo festival reflects cultural heritage rooted in cleanliness and community pride.

Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources (MSWR), Lydia Seyram Alhassan, affirmed her ministry’s readiness for the clean-up exercise, with resources including 30 compaction trucks, over 30 tricycles, thousands of Wellington boots, 15,000 security personnel, a dedicated task force, and environmental health officers to enforce sanitation bylaws. She urged all Accra residents to actively participate in the campaign.

Greater Accra Regional Minister Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover expressed gratitude to the Ga Traditional Council (GTC) for reviving the ‘Keep Accra Clean’ campaign. He announced that the exercise would be rolled out in phases, starting with the Accra metropolitan area on July 2, assuring that resources and partnerships have been mobilised for the clean-up’s success.