The people of Zabzugu District on today Saturday turned out in large numbers to participate in a massive clean-up exercise, reinforcing the vision of former President John Dramani Mahama, who launched the National Sanitation Day initiative to instill a culture of cleanliness across Ghana.
Led by the District Chief Executive (DCE), Hon. George Lakoba Tanei, in collaboration with the District Sanitation Officer, party executives, and community leaders, the exercise saw residents sweeping streets, desilting choked gutters, clearing weeds, and removing heaps of refuse from homes and public spaces.
Speaking at the event, Hon. George Lakoba commended the strong community spirit and emphasized that sanitation is not a one-day affair but a lifestyle that safeguards health, prevents disease outbreaks, and improves the beauty and livability of the district. He called on residents to sustain the practice through regular clean-ups, echoing the vision of President Mahama, who envisioned a cleaner Ghana through monthly communal action.
The Sanitation Officer supervised the technical aspects of the exercise, ensuring proper collection and safe disposal of waste. Party executives and local leaders played a crucial role by mobilizing residents and providing logistical support.
By mid-morning, Zabzugu’s major drains had been unclogged and several refuse heaps cleared and carted away to designated sites. Residents who took part described the exercise as timely and refreshing, noting that a cleaner environment would reduce diseases such as malaria and cholera while boosting community pride.
The success of the exercise has renewed calls for institutionalizing monthly clean-up activities in Zabzugu, in line with the broader national goal of making cleanliness a shared responsibility.
As President Mahama declared at the launch of Sanitation Day, “cleanliness is next to godliness, and it begins with each of us.” Zabzugu’s turn-out shows that the district is ready to carry that vision forward.
The National Sanitation Day was launched on November 1, 2014, by then-President John Dramani Mahama to tackle Ghana’s sanitation challenges and promote public health. The initiative, observed on the first Saturday of every month, mobilizes citizens to clean their communities through sweeping, desilting drains, clearing weeds, and disposing of refuse.
BACKGROUND ON SANITATION DAY
The program was introduced following repeated outbreaks of cholera and other sanitation-related diseases. President Mahama stressed that the success of the initiative depended on active citizen participation, describing sanitation as both a health necessity and a civic duty.
Since its inception, the exercise has been observed nationwide, with varying levels of community engagement. It remains a key pillar of Ghana’s sanitation campaign, with districts such as Zabzugu adopting it as part of their local development and public health agenda.
