Kantamanto, one of Accra’s busiest business hubs, was brought to a standstill as staff of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) joined traders for a clean-up exercise aimed at restoring the area’s environment.
The usually busy commercial centre, known for its high volume of trading activities, was unusually quiet as shops and stores remained closed to allow traders and volunteers to participate in the exercise.
The activity, which began as early as 5:00 am, saw traders, COCOBOD staff and other participants desilting gutters, sweeping streets, pavements and other parts of the business district.
The COCOBOD team, led by its Deputy Chief Executive Officer in charge of Agronomy and Quality Control, Dr Francis Baah, worked alongside traders to clean one of Ghana’s major commercial areas.
Dr Baah said COCOBOD took advantage of the President’s directive for a two-day national clean-up exercise to collaborate with traders and other stakeholders to improve sanitation in areas affected by the June 29 floods.
He expressed satisfaction with the level of participation and the transformation of Kantamanto, describing the outcome as impressive.
“I am happy to see how one of the most congested areas in Accra has become so clean,” he said.
The Deputy CEO noted that regular community clean-up exercises were once a common practice among Ghanaians but questioned why the habit has declined over the years.
He urged residents to reflect on the impact of the June 29 floods and make environmental cleanliness a daily responsibility rather than waiting for special occasions.
“Let us not wait until a day like this before we come out to clean our surroundings. We must make it a regular habit,” he said.
Dr Baah added that sanitation exercises should not become a temporary activity but rather a continuous practice among individuals and communities.
“Activities like this should not be a nine-day wonder. It should become a continuous habit,” he stressed.
Some traders and participants who took part in the exercise also expressed excitement about the cleaner appearance of Kantamanto, describing the initiative as timely and necessary.
They called for regular maintenance of the area to sustain the improved sanitation conditions beyond the exercise.
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