Slim Buster partners NGO to raise awareness on cleanliness

The Centre for Environmental Protection and Natural Resource (CEPNR), an environmental, non-governmental organisation (NGO), at the weekend teamed up with ace Musician and Dancer Slim Buster to create environmental awareness at Agege Shiabu, a suburb of Accra.

The exercise, which was in response to the National Sanitation campaign launched by President John Dramani Mahama last month, attracted Ms Victoria Hamah, National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Ablekuma West and her supporters in an area noted for outbreak of communicable diseases due to poor sanitary problems.

CEPNR sponsored the fumigation of drains and open spaces in the predominantly fishing community.

Mr Buster who described himself as an “Ambassador of the Environment” told the Ghana News Agency that for more than 15 years he had engaged the attention of the public about the health dangers in living in insanitary surroundings.

He said he took up the challenge because he noticed that communities like Bukom, Chorkor, Akoto Lante and Nii Boye Town where most of his dancers live are not well kept, which could have adverse effect on residents.

“Travelling around the world I noticed that being healthy is not just about food but also about the environment,” he added.

The NDC parliamentary candidate expressed dissatisfaction about the activities of some people in the community who had formed the habit of dumping refuse and other human waste in drains when there are public refuse dump and toilet facilities available.

She called for public health education to help reverse the situation.

Ms Hama lauded the fumigation exercise, saying it would help reduce the incidence of malaria and other diseases.

Ms Abena Yamoah, Co-ordinator of CEPNR said the NGO is expecting logistics from the Ministry of Local Government and Rural and the National Sanitation Taskforce to facilitate rapid response to environmental issues and promote door- to-door information gathering on the ecology.

She observed that about 80 per cent of the environmental challenges confronting the nation are man- made hence the need for Ghanaians to support the National Sanitation Campaign.

Ms Yamoah said CEPNR would liaise with Mr Buster to organise street carnivals to deepen awareness about the essence of a clean environment.

CEPNR is a body that collates and gathers information on issues affecting the environment and is teaming up with stakeholders to support government’s effort to fight against acts that undermine the environment.

The aims and objectives of the Centre is to advocate the protection of the environment and natural resources, partner organisations to campaign against the degradation of the environment and offer support in reclaiming degraded lands.

CEPNR encourages the planting of trees to protect the environment, sensitise the citizens on environmental issues and assist in the protection of river bodies.

It also aims at fumigating communities affected by outbreak of malaria and other communicable diseases as well as environmental and health challenges and ensure clean and healthy environment.