Residents of the Senya Electoral Area in the Ayawso East Municipality disregarded orders to keep their shops closed until 12 noon on Tuesday, August 6, 2024.
The directive was issued to support the Homowo clean-up exercise organized by the Ga Mantse, the Regional Coordinating Council, and Zoomlion.
In Mamobi, residents have transformed the main road into a cattle ranch, block factory, and sand-selling area, disrupting vehicle traffic. Sand dealers in the area noted that they have been operating on the road for over 30 years, making it a local tradition.
The Mamobi big drainage, or gutter, is situated between the sand piles and the tarred road.
The sand sellers acknowledged that their sand frequently washes into the gutter, leading to flooding during rainfall.
Although the sand sellers acknowledge the environmental costs, they claim that this is their only source of income.
In addition to sand sellers, the area between Mamobi Street and the main gutter is used by cattle owners, food vendors, and charcoal sellers, whose waste also contributes to drainage issues.
The Ayawaso East Assembly has struggled to remove these traders despite multiple efforts.
The assembly member for the Senya electoral area mentioned that assembly members feel powerless to resolve these issues.
However, on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, with the assistance of security personnel, the sand sellers and other traders were forced to vacate the area.
While other communities supported the clean-up effort, Mamobi residents did not, complicating the work for sanitation officers.
The clean-up exercise, led by the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (GARCC) and the Ga Traditional Council (GTC), and supported by various government ministries and Zoomlion Ghana Limited, began in Accra Metropolis and extended to other municipalities in the region.
His Royal Majesty, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, who officially launched the 2024 Homowo Clean-Up Exercise, called for collective action to address environmental degradation across the Greater Accra Region.
The King emphasized that all shops and businesses in the designated areas should remain closed on the day of the event and urged leaders of various groups, associations, and all residents to fully participate in the clean-up efforts.
He urged the assemblies to place refuse bins at strategic locations to prevent littering, enhance public education and communal labor activities, and enforce environmental laws more rigorously.
