Ghana Health Service organizes clean-up exercise

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) on Saturday organized a clean-up exercise to rid the city of filth, to allow the free flow of water in drains.

The exercise which was part of activities to mark the celebration of World Health Day, was also to test the capacity of the various sub-metropolitan areas to manage garbage and filth collection in their localities.

The exercise, which started around 0700 hours, involved de-silting of choked gutters and the clearing of rubbish by some staff of the GHS, Zoomlion, market women and some students from the Central University

The clean-up exercise took place at the Tema Station and its environs.

Dr Ebenezer Appiah Denkyira, Director of the GHS said, he was really impressed with the way the people welcomed the exercise, and the urgency attached to it

He said there would be a clean-up exercise competition among lorry stations in Accra every week, during which the winners would be awarded.

According to him, the exercise would be organised regularly to instil discipline, patriotism and good hygiene among the traders and the people at the station.

He noted with concern the fast rate at which people were turning drains into waste dump sites, and called for stiffer punishments for those who go contrary to the city's bye-laws.

He urged Ghanaians to be conscious of personal hygiene, in order to stem the outbreak of cholera and other epidemics.

The Director advised the traders and people at the Tema Station to desist from improper waste disposal.