Commentary

Citizens must sustain “Operation Clean Your Frontage” campaign

By Ernest Obeng Anim

A little over a week ago there was a massive clean-up campaign dubbed ‘Operation Clean Your Frontage’ in Accra to create awareness on the need to keep the environment tidy.

The aim was also to ensure that Accra becomes one of the cleanest cities in the world. After the exercise the pavements and pedestrian walkways were free of hawkers which was not the case previously. For once the stench from the choked gutters and heap of rubbish within the city gave way to fresh air. The drains were distilled and the garbage cleared.

The joy with which the campaign team led by the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, the Security Agencies and other groups undertook the project indicated that the country is ready to keep the city clean always. Another feature that most Ghanaians are satisfied with, is the relocation of hawkers and those who sell on the pavements and walkways to designated markets. This is highly commendable because pedestrians can walk through the city without obstructions. Hitherto pedestrians had to meander their way through hawkers and tabletop traders who will not spare anyone unintentionally push their goods on the ground. It was a common sight to see hawkers harassing pedestrians to pay for goods who through no fault of theirs had fallen on the ground. Pedestrians will be free of the embarrassment permanently if the campaign is sustained. The full participation of the waste management companies further gives credence to the fact that they are prepared to support this laudable initiative. The euphoria that greeted the campaign suggested that Ghanaians needed more of such projects to ensure environmental cleanliness. Although the campaign seems generally accepted by all, there are others who are against it for the reason that they have been selling on the pavements and walkways for a long time without problems.

According to them they have been cleaning their frontage and paying money to waste management companies to clear the rubbish but most of the time they delay. However, going through town one would realise that the pavements are free and the sellers have relocated to the designated markets. One thing that if not checked may mar the beauty of the campaign are the heaps of sand that have been left along highways and major roads.

Although there have been attempts to clear some of them, there are still a lot of them still on the roads. Some can be seen on the Accra –Achimota-Ofankor highway. The sun can easily be washed back into the drains if it rains or by strong winds. It can also cause accidents, especially at night at places where there are no street lights. Vehicles can run into them and this can be fatal. Such negligence cannot be allowed to mar a well-thought-out plan to rid the city of filth. Those responsible for clearing the sand along the road should do it without delay. The covered drains which have been left open should also be closed to avoid people choking them again with waste. If all Ghanaians including waste collection companies work diligently Accra will be among the cleanest cities in the world and tourists will be attracted to the country. This will generate foreign exchange for the nation. Let’s all support the ‘Operation Clean Your Frontage Campaign’ to enable us to continue to breathe fresh air and make it attractive to the world.