The Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare- Addo, has called on young people across the country to take an active role in protecting their communities by adopting drains and ensuring they are cleaned regularly.
Speaking during a community clean-up exercise in the Ablekuma Central Municipality, the Minister emphasized that tackling poor sanitation and preventing floods should not be left to government alone but requires the active participation of citizens, particularly the youth.
“It is about time the youth of this country show their youthfulness and patriotism by supporting regular cleaning exercises to prevent future flooding,” Mr. Opare-Addo said.
He noted that clogged drains remain one of the leading causes of flooding in many parts of Ghana, especially during the rainy season, and urged young people to volunteer their time and energy to keep waterways free of refuse.
According to the Minister, adopting drains within communities would not only improve sanitation but also promote a sense of ownership and civic responsibility among young people.
The Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Osman Ayariga, who joined the Minister for the clean-up exercise, also appealed to the youth to take the lead in maintaining clean surroundings instead of relying on older members of society.
“As youth, it is our responsibility to clean the environment and not the elderly. We must lead the way in cleaning our communities to prevent future floods,” he said.
Mr. Ayariga encouraged youth groups, community-based organisations and volunteers to organise regular clean-up campaigns, stressing that environmental cleanliness is a shared responsibility.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Ablekuma Central, where the exercise took place, said the Assembly has introduced measures to discourage the indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drains.
According to the MCE, enforcement efforts are being strengthened alongside public education campaigns to encourage residents to dispose of waste properly and protect drainage systems from blockage.
The clean-up exercise forms part of activities to celebrate the youth month slated for August and a broader efforts by the Ministry for Youth Development and Empowerment and its partners to promote environmental sanitation, reduce the risk of flooding and encourage active youth participation in national development.
Authorities hope that sustained community involvement, particularly by young people, will help build cleaner, healthier and more resilient communities across the country.
By Joseph Armstrong Gold-Alorgbey
