Community/school clean contest launched

Anloga (V/R), Feb 03, GNA - Mr Edward K. Ahiabor, the Keta District Chief Executive, has called on teachers to step up the study and practice of cleanliness as a way of maintaining good health and environmental sanitation.

He said indiscriminate disposal of wastes, filthy and offensive surroundings and stagnant waters that have become breeding grounds for mosquitoes contribute to the spread of diseases. Mr Ahiabor was addressing parents, teachers and school children to mark the ''fourth community and school clean contest'' organised by the Environmental Health Unit of the District Assembly at the E.P. School premises at Anloga.

He said plastics, rubber, metals, wood and glass that had found their way into rivers, seas and lagoons constituted a big threat to ships, divers and beach goers.

''As a result our water bodies have become contaminated and the safety of the living things that depend on the seas, rivers or streams are at risk.''

Mr Ahiabor appealed to the district assemblies to come out with stringent byelaws and regulations to curb the dangers being posed to the environment.

Mr Simon K. Dewotor, the District Director of Education, said he was optimistic that education standards could rise again only if teachers and other education workers were made the centrepiece of education policies and are motivated.

"The best education policy that does not take teachers remuneration and conditions of service into account will definitely fail.'' Mr Dewotor appealed to the government to ensure that teachers and education workers are well remunerated and their conditions of service improved.

Mr Charles Otoo, the Keta District Environmental Officer, said since the inception of the Clean Contest four years ago, it had been competitive because of the attractive prizes that go with it. This year the first three winners would have a 10-seater water closet toilet built for them plus consolation prizes for other competitors.

Torgbui Dallah Avege III, the Clan Chief, spoke about the unsanitary conditions of the area and said the traditional method of 'exorcising' in the past had been rejected by the youth as ''fetish'. Mr Ahiabor later donated over 26,000 exercise books to schools in the town.