Greater Accra Regional Minister announces national sanitation day, cleanest city award

The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, has announced the reintroduction of the National Sanitation Day and the introduction of a Cleanest City Award as part of efforts to promote a cleaner and more environmentally responsible region.

Speaking during her first official engagement with the management of the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (GARCC), Hon. Ocloo emphasized that sanitation and waste management would be a key performance indicator for Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs).

The outlined plans to observe a Regional Sanitation Day on the last Friday of every month, in line with the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s Clean Up Ghana agenda, to improve cleanliness and waste management.

As part of her administration’s sanitation policy, she announced initiatives such as waste segregation, provision of garbage bags and bins in public spaces and homes, and strengthening the sanitation and waste management departments within the MMDAs to enhance efficiency.

Additionally, she stressed the need for social and behavioral change campaigns to educate citizens on proper sanitation practices.

Beyond sanitation, Hon. Ocloo pledged to strengthen local governance by empowering MMDAs to improve revenue generation for sustainable development.

She also committed to reinforcing sub-district structures, including zonal and area councils, to enhance participatory governance.

On security, the Regional Minister, who also chairs the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), assured that her administration would collaborate with security agencies to maintain peace and order in line with the Security and Intelligence Agencies Act, 2020 (Act 1030).

She further announced plans to intensify the provision and replacement of streetlights across the region to improve visibility, curb crime, and enhance road safety.

Hon. Ocloo also highlighted her vision for economic development, particularly in collaboration with MMDCEs to promote local economic growth.

She announced her commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs through partnerships with the Women’s Bank, fostering innovation, and promoting women-led businesses.

Additionally, she revealed plans to facilitate trade fairs in collaboration with key institutions such as the Department of Agriculture, Ghana Tourism Authority, Ministry of Trade, and the Ghana Enterprise Agency, aimed at boosting commerce and investment in the region.

The Regional Minister called on civil society organizations, the private sector, and the media to support her administration’s vision of transforming Greater Accra into a cleaner, safer, and more prosperous region.

She reiterated her reliance on the expertise of public servants to drive the government’s development agenda.

“With collective effort, Greater Accra will become a model region for environmental sustainability, security, and economic growth,” she assured.

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