By Celestine Avi
President John Dramani Mahama has honoured the Buz Stop Boys, a youth volunteer group dedicated to sanitation in Accra, with a major donation of cleaning materials. The President praised the group’s selflessness and called on more young people to emulate their example in community service.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, President Mahama said the group had demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to keeping the city clean despite limited resources.
“We decided today to recognize these selfless, community-spirited young people who, for several years, using their own resources, their energy, and strength, continue to volunteer to keep our city clean,” he stated.
The President recounted how his attention was first drawn to the group last year when they appealed for a tricycle to aid their work.
“They were appealing for a tricycle to be able to cart away the garbage when they had removed it… and so I donated a tricycle to them. Since then, I’ve been seeing the good work they do,” he explained.
President Mahama, assisted by the Chief of Staff and the Minister of Local Government, presented the group with over 1,600 sanitation tools, including 200 barrels, 300 shovels, 300 brooms, 300 standing brooms, 300 gloves, 280 standing brushes, 20 short brushes, and 300 plastic buckets.
He emphasized that the gesture was not only to support the Buz Stop Boys but also to encourage other youth-led volunteer initiatives across the country.
“We’re going to present it to them this morning in recognition of the work they do and also to make it easier for them to continue. If other volunteer groups come up, we’ll recognize them the same way and assist them to also help the community,” the President said.
The leader of the Buz Stop Boys, Heneba Kwadzo Sarfo, expressed profound gratitude to the President for his support. He revealed that there are already 12 other youth groups championing the same initiative and emphasized that “the foundation of the earth is the environment.”
President Mahama urged the group to use the materials responsibly and maintain them properly.
The President handed the items to the leader, describing the gesture as “an honour and a privilege.”
