The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, has reintroduced the National Sanitation Day and launched the Cleanest City Award to enhance environmental sanitation in the region.
Speaking on her first day in office during an engagement with the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (GARCC), Ocloo stated that these initiatives align with the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s “Clean Up Ghana” agenda.
As part of the plan, a Regional Sanitation Day will be observed on the last Friday of every month to promote cleanliness and proper waste management. She emphasized that sanitation and waste management will serve as a key performance indicator (KPI) for all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), encouraging a competitive and responsible approach to environmental cleanliness.
- Waste segregation and the provision of garbage bags and bins in public places and homes.
- Strengthening sanitation and waste management departments within MMDAs for efficiency.
- Social and behavioral change campaigns to educate citizens on proper sanitation practices.
Ocloo reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening local governance by working with traditional authorities, religious organizations, and other stakeholders to improve decentralization. She also announced measures to boost revenue generation for MMDAs and enhance participatory governance through sub-district structures.
On security, the Minister—who also chairs the Regional Security Council (REGSEC)—pledged to work with security agencies to maintain law and order under the Security and Intelligence Agencies Act, 2020 (Act 1030). She also vowed to improve street lighting across the region to enhance visibility, reduce crime, and improve road safety.
To boost local economic growth, Ocloo announced plans to:
- Collaborate with the Women’s Bank to promote women entrepreneurship.
- Organize trade fairs in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Ghana Tourism Authority, Ministry of Trade, and Ghana Enterprise Agency to showcase local businesses.
She called on civil society organizations, the private sector, and the media to support her vision for a cleaner, safer, and more prosperous Greater Accra.
“With collective effort, we can transform Greater Accra into a region we can all be proud of,” Ocloo stated.