The La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly (LaDMA) successfully concluded an extended week-long clean-up exercise from Saturday, 13th December to Saturday, 20th December 2025, as part of the National Sanitation Day initiative.
Under the leadership of the Hon. Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Hon. Alfredos Nii Anyetei, the Assembly expanded the traditional monthly exercise into a full week in response to the upcoming Christmas festivities. The initiative, carried out across all communities within the municipality, aimed to ensure sustained cleanliness and improved sanitation standards during a period of increased commercial and social activity.
The exercise was conducted pursuant to a directive from H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, and was coordinated with the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (GARCC) under the Hon. Regional Minister, Hon. Linda Obenewaa Ocloo. It also received strong support from the Member of Parliament for the La Dade-Kotopon Constituency and Deputy Minister for Local Government, Hon. Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, as well as the La Traditional Council, highlighting a unified commitment to public health.
In the lead-up to the event, LaDMA officers, including the Municipal Information Officer, conducted extensive community sensitization. Using an announcing van, they moved through Labadi and adjoining communities to educate residents, traders, and institutions. Key messages emphasized the mandatory closure of shops from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on sanitation days and the importance of collective responsibility in cleaning immediate surroundings.
Activities carried out during the week included:
- Sweeping and cleaning of principal streets and public spaces.
- Desilting of gutters and drains.
- Collection and proper disposal of accumulated refuse.
- Environmental beautification exercises and painting of curbs.
The exercise was coordinated by the Municipal Coordinating Director, the Deputy Director, and the Municipal Environmental Health Officer, with active support from all departments of the Assembly. Participants included Assembly Members, security personnel, community leaders, traders, artisans, and residents, with notable support from the DE Blessing Foundation.In a significant boost to sanitation enforcement, the Environmental Health Department of LaDMA received three motorbikes. The vehicles were presented at a brief ceremony by Hon. Alfredos Nii Anyetei and the Regional Minister, Hon. Linda Obenewaa Ocloo. The MCE explained that the motorbikes would improve the mobility and efficiency of officers, enabling them to access all communities and conduct routine inspections more effectively. He emphasized that sanitation remains a top priority for the Assembly, and this proactive step empowers the department to enforce bye-laws and take prompt corrective action before minor issues escalate.
The Municipal Environmental Health Officer, Mr. Isaac Anim Okumetey, welcomed the development, stating it would allow his team to proactively identify and address insanitary conditions across the municipality.
As part of the broader preparations for the festive season, the MCE also disclosed that the Assembly has engaged event organizers and managers of major facilities, including hotels, beach resorts, and entertainment centers, to ensure proper sanitation and security arrangements. Hon. Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, the MP for the area, added that communities hosting major events would be supported with street lights and waste bins, and that a national call centre has been established by the Ministry of Local Government to receive sanitation-related complaints for prompt action.
The week’s activities and the motorbike presentation garnered significant media attention, with coverage from outlets including UTV, GTV, Metro TV, Channel One TV, TV XYZ, Ghanaian Times, and Ablade TV, helping to amplify the message of environmental responsibility.
[Image: A collage of photos showing cleaned markets, painted curbs, and a group photo of participants. Caption: Some outcomes of the sanitation week and participants in action.]
LaDMA continues to distinguish itself as a model municipality in sanitation management. The week-long December drive has contributed to improved environmental hygiene and increased community ownership of public spaces. While challenges such as heavily silted drains and post-exercise littering persist, the Assembly remains committed to sustained enforcement and continuous public education to maintain a cleaner, safer, and healthier municipality for all.