The La-Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal Assembly (LaNMMA) on Saturday observed the Tenth National Sanitation Day, with a clean-up exercise within its jurisdiction around 6.00a.m with staff of the Assembly, roadside traders and hawkers, and women from the Madina Central Market participating.
They desilted choked gutters along the Ritz, Atomic and Zongo junctions, removed refuse and debris and carted them to the Tema Dumping Site.
Volunteers from the Concerned Citizens Association and some National Service Personnel also took part in the exercise.
The Rapid Response Initiative Task Force made up of the Police and some staff of the Assembly, as well as members of the Environmental Health Officers Task Force of the Assembly, ensured that traders did not sell during the exercise.
Eight recalcitrant traders who opened their shops and did active business during the exercise, were arrested by the joint Task Force and sent to the Madina Police Station.
Tools for the exercise which included rakes, wheelbarrows, alley-brooms, wellington boots, gloves and personal protective clothing, were supplied.by the Assembly.
Mr Joseph Quacoe, the Head of the Sanitation Unit of LaNMMA, told the Ghana News Agency that the eight recalcitrant traders, were each fined fifty Ghana Cedis, and cautioned to serve as a deterrent to others.
Mr. Quacoe said the presence of the Police made more people join the exercise, and added that LaNMMA would continue to sensitize the residents to participate in the impending exercise slated for September.
The exercise was jointly supervised by Mr Franklin Adu, the Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Saakah Dramani, the Co-ordinating Director, and Mr Frederick Doe, the Finance Officer.