A major clean-up exercise in Sunyani has brought renewed attention to worsening sanitation challenges, as authorities and residents joined forces to clear waste and restore cleanliness in key parts of the municipality.
The exercise, led by Vincent Antwi Agyei, saw participation from assembly members, traders, security personnel, and market women. Together, they desilted choked gutters, collected plastic waste, and evacuated large heaps of refuse from busy areas such as the Nana Bosoma Central Market.
Despite the effort, concerns remain about the sustainability of such interventions. Yusif Ibrahim, an official of the National Disaster Management Organization, warned that without consistent enforcement of sanitation regulations, the situation could quickly deteriorate again.
He pointed out that indiscriminate dumping of waste—especially plastics—continues to plague the municipality, contributing to environmental degradation and increasing the risk of disease outbreaks and flooding.
According to him, the solution lies not only in periodic clean-up exercises but in strict adherence to sanitation bye-laws by all residents, including traders and business operators in the central business district.
The exercise has therefore reignited discussions on the need for stronger accountability measures, with calls for authorities to ensure that sanitation laws are applied fairly and consistently, regardless of individuals’ social or political status.
As Sunyani works to maintain a cleaner environment, stakeholders say long-term success will depend on a shift in public behaviour backed by firm enforcement, rather than one-off clean-up campaigns.
