The Member of Parliament for Takoradi Constituency, Mr Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, has called on residents to move beyond occasional clean-up exercises and adopt regular sanitation practices to address flooding and environmental challenges in the area.
The former Western Regional Minister made the call when he joined residents, including youth groups, women and community members, for a clean-up exercise organised as part of the government’s national general clean-up campaign.
The exercise involved the removal of refuse, clearing of gutters and desilting of choked drains across parts of the Takoradi Constituency.
Mr Darko-Mensah said maintaining a clean environment was a shared responsibility that required the active participation of every resident rather than relying solely on government and municipal authorities.
He noted that poor sanitation practices, particularly indiscriminate disposal of waste into drains, contributed significantly to flooding and other public health concerns.
“A clean Takoradi is a healthy Takoradi, so I urge all of us to support efforts to keep our city clean by making cleanliness a daily responsibility,” he said.
The MP said he was committed to leading similar community initiatives beyond scheduled clean-up campaigns to encourage residents to take ownership of their surroundings.
He urged households, businesses and community groups to ensure that drains and public spaces within their areas were kept clean to improve environmental conditions and reduce the impact of flooding.
Mr Darko-Mensah also commended residents who participated in the exercise, describing their involvement as a demonstration of collective commitment towards building a safer and healthier Takoradi.
He stressed that sustained behavioural change among residents remained critical to achieving a cleaner city and improving the overall wellbeing of the people.
