Gov't Launches 'Adopt-A-Street' Initiative To Make Accra Clean And Green - Mahama Ayariga

Story by Fada Amakye

The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Mahama Ayariga, has launched a new initiative dubbed ‘Adopt-A-Street’ or ‘Adopt-A-Corridor’ to keep Accra clean and green.

He said Accra is the face of Ghana, as most visitors enter the country through the capital, and what they see reflects the image of the nation.

According to him, road corridors, public spaces and green areas reflect our national identity, but challenges such as littering, poor maintenance and inadequate greening continue to affect the beauty and livability of the capital.

Hon. Ayariga noted that government cannot address these challenges alone, and must partner with traditional authorities, corporate Ghana, communities and citizens.

Under the initiative, corporate organizations will be encouraged to adopt designated streets, road medians, roundabouts and public spaces for regular cleaning, landscaping, tree planting and maintenance as part of their corporate social responsibility.

He said companies, banks, telecom operators, industries and hotels are expected to show commitment to national development by taking responsibility for keeping parts of the city clean and green.

The Minister announced that the Governor of the Bank of Ghana and all Managing Directors of banks in Ghana have expressed willingness to participate in the initiative.

He added that government is also working to provide waste transfer stations for all MMDAs in Greater Accra and across the country, and is mobilizing resources for the construction of landfill sites for effective waste management.

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Accra Is The Heartbeat Of Ghana, We Must Fix Sanitation Problem – Ga Mantse

Story by Fada Amakye

The Ga Mantse, His Royal Majesty King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, has described Accra as the heartbeat and eyeball of Ghana which must not be allowed to be overtaken by filth.

He commended the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs for hitting the ground running with the Clean Streets initiative.

According to the Ga Mantse, the sanitation threat in Accra is imminent and government and traditional authorities must work hand in hand to resolve and reset waste management issues.

He said this is the first time traditional authority is working closely with government to tackle sanitation challenges in the capital.

The Ga Mantse expressed worry about single-use plastics, noting that out of 40 companies that manufacture single-use plastics, only 20 percent is recycled, while 80 percent ends up in gutters, drains, seas and rivers.

He explained that plastics are not biodegradable and are destroying beaches, eroding coral reefs and affecting fish spawning, which has contributed to low fish harvest for fishermen.

He called for short-term, mid-term and long-term policies with proper monitoring and evaluation, as well as the establishment of sanitation courts to deal with sanitation offenders.

The Ga Mantse accepted to chair the committee for the initiative and promised to deliver on the mandate.