Good sanitary conditions will increase productivity - Otumfuo

The Asantehene, Otumfuor Osei Tutu II, has stressed the need for Ghanaians to observe personal hygiene and proper environmental cleanliness because good sanitary conditions will increase productivity.

Cleanliness is the pathway to good health and strength, he said.

The Asantehene was speaking after he had participated in a clean-up exercise to mark the Third National Sanitation Day in Kumasi on Saturday.

Among the people who participated were Mr Julius Debrah, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Samuel Sarpong, Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kojo Bonsu, Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, and DCOP Kofi Boakye, Ashanti Regional Police Commander.

The four-hour exercise covered all the sub-metropolitan councils, but the main work was centered on the Kejetia Lorry Terminal, Pampaso, the Central Market, Roman Hill, Alabar and Kwadaso.

The Asantehene expressed his appreciation for the large number of people, including the various security agencies, civil servants, national service personnel, traders, shop owners and transport unions who participated willingly in the exercise.

People did not have to wait for the Government to come before they got down to work to clean their premises, he said.

"It is only when people are in good sanitary conditions that they are able to increase productivity, which also enables government to save money for other development programmes," he said.

Mr Julius Debrah stressed the need for people to avoid politicizing the national sanitation day exercise and support it to be a success.

DCOP Boakye appealed to churches in the metropolis to use their pulpits to educate the people on environmental issues.

At Kejetia, it was observed that a company providing a toilet facility there was discharging its effluent waste to the main drain.