Grace Zigah
The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs has brought this year’s national sanitation campaign to a climax, with the Minister, Ahmed Ibrahim leading efforts to ensure the capital and other municipalities are clean ahead of the Christmas season.
The week-long exercise, which began earlier this month, is part of the government’s broader initiative to maintain public health, enhance the aesthetic appeal of urban areas, and prepare Ghana for the influx of international visitors during the festive period.
Ibrahim, accompanied by a high-level delegation, conducted a monitoring tour across key ceremonial routes, including the John Evans Atta Mills Highway, Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly areas, and Burma Camp.
The tour provided the Minister the opportunity to interact with personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces, the Prison Service, and the Immigration Service, all actively engaged in the cleanup operation.
At Burma Camp, the Minister observed coordinated efforts where the Ghana National Fire Service deployed water tankers to support military personnel engaged in weeding and clearing debris, while other security agencies focused on logistical planning and sanitation tasks.
“This collaboration between the military, security services, and local municipal assemblies sets a gold standard for leadership nationwide,” Ibrahim noted, highlighting the importance of cross-sector cooperation in public service.
The initiative carries heightened significance for the La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly, which houses Jubilee House—the presidential residence—and most of the diplomatic corps.
Ibrahim emphasized that maintaining cleanliness in these areas is critical for safeguarding Ghana’s international image.
“Public service means you are not on your own. This Christmas is about cleaning as part of disaster prevention,” he said.
Looking forward, the Minister announced plans to escalate sanitation efforts with the deployment of specialized road-sweeping and washing vehicles to “reveal the true color of the roads.”
He also directed the LaDMA leadership to provide paint for medians and walls along key ceremonial routes, reinforcing the government’s commitment to a visibly clean and orderly environment.
Ahmed Ibrahim was particularly firm on restricting the placement of unauthorized billboards on medians to preserve the aesthetic of the capital.
The Minister praised the proactive stance of security agencies, noting that discipline and cleanliness are core values of the military.
He encouraged them to maintain momentum into 2026, revealing that the first national sanitation exercise of the new year is scheduled for the first Saturday of January.
Concluding the tour, Ahmed Ibrahim reminded public officers that the essence of national development is hands-on fieldwork.
“While ministers may wear suits, the work of national development is primarily field work that requires dedication,” he stated, underscoring the government’s message that visible action complements policy directives.
