Twenty people have been arrested while more than 80 shops have been locked in Mankessim in the Mfantseman Municipality of the Central Region for allegedly refusing to participate in the government’s National Sanitation Day exercise.
The enforcement action formed part of the nationwide sanitation campaign initiated by President John Dramani Mahama to promote environmental cleanliness and improve public health through regular community clean-up exercises.
Officials of the Mfantseman Municipal Assembly, supported by personnel from the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies, embarked on an operation across the municipality to ensure compliance with the Assembly’s directive requiring all businesses to suspend operations and participate in the exercise.
According to the Assembly, the 20 individuals arrested were mainly shop owners and traders who allegedly ignored repeated instructions to close their businesses and join the community-wide clean-up campaign. During the operation, task force members also locked more than 80 shops that remained open in violation of the directive.
Speaking to journalists after the exercise, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Mfantseman, Hon. Eric Stanley Acquah, said the Assembly had given adequate notice to traders, food vendors and other business operators before the exercise.
Hon. Eric Stanley Acquah, DCE, Mfantseman
He explained that public announcements and several reminders had been issued, urging residents to suspend commercial activities and actively participate in the clean-up.
However, some individuals deliberately failed to comply, leaving the Assembly with no option but to enforce the regulations.
Hon. Acquah disclosed that the 20 suspects would be processed and arraigned before court to answer for their refusal to comply with the Assembly’s lawful directive.
He stressed that the Municipal Assembly remains committed to enforcing sanitation regulations without fear or favour, emphasizing that maintaining a clean environment is a collective responsibility that requires the active participation of every resident.
The MCE further assured the public that the Assembly would intensify sanitation enforcement measures and ensure strict observance of future National Sanitation Day exercises across the municipality to improve environmental hygiene and safeguard public health.
He therefore appealed to residents, traders and business owners to support the initiative by complying with directives issued by the Assembly and taking part in future clean-up exercises.
Meanwhile, the leader of the enforcement team stated that the operation was conducted peacefully with the full support of the police and other security agencies.
He cautioned that anyone who fails to comply with future sanitation directives would face the full rigours of the law, urging traders, transport operators and residents to cooperate with the Municipal Assembly in maintaining a clean, safe and healthy environment throughout the municipality.
By Yaw Boagyan
