ASCUM undertakes clean-up exercise

Oboadaka (E/R), Sept. 21, GNA - The Unit Three of Abibiman Sankofa Cultural Movement (ASCUM), a Community-Based Organization (CBO), on Tuesday undertook a clean-up exercise at Oboadaka, near Suhum in the Suhum Kraboa Coaltar District in Eastern Region.

About 30 members of the Movement swept the streets, palm oil extraction factory, scrubbed their bore-hole and burnt cabbage. The members distributed pamphlets and educational materials on healthy environment, to some non-members resident in the area. Mr. Lord de-Graft Aikins, Co-ordinator for the Unit, asked the people to keep their environment clean, reminding them that "cleanliness is next to Godliness".

He said: "Constant clean-ups of this kind will prevent the breeding of mosquitoes and prevent malaria, since filth and pollution is a natural hazard".

Mr de-Graft Aikins also the National Co-ordinating Director of ASCUM, said similar programmes ware designed for the 10 units of ASCUM, comprising over 600 members in the district, to help keep their communities clean.

Mr Freeman K. Madzi, Executive Director of the Movement, urged other organisations to work hard to ensure a clean environment. He said the ASCUMM would continue to create public awareness on the negative effect of filth on the environment.

The deputy Executive Director of the Movement, Mr. Emmanuel A. Annor, appealed to the people to support programmes aimed at keeping the environment clean.

He said ASCUM would collaborate with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to organise seminars to sensitise the public on the importance of clean environment to national development. Mr Annor said the Movement had already contacted the National Board for Small Scale Industries to organise workshops on cottage industry for the people.