The District Chief Executive for Atwima Mponua in the Ashanti Region, Hon. Ibrahim Issahak, has called on residents to report anyone seen dumping refuse into gutters, describing the act as an offense that must attract prosecution.

Hon. Issahak issued the directive during a cleanup exercise at Anyinamso Number 1, Anyinamso Number 2, and Serebuoso. The exercise mobilized Assembly members, unit committee members, youth groups, and residents to desilt choked drains, sweep principal streets, and clear heaps of refuse from public spaces.

Speaking to the community, the DCE blamed the indiscriminate dumping of waste into drains as a major cause of flooding across the district and the country at large. He stressed that residents must deposit refuse at designated dumping sites and not in gutters.

“If you generate any refuse, you must dump it at an appropriate place, not in gutters. Anytime you dump refuse in gutters, flooding will occur,” Hon. Issahak stated.

He emphasized that dumping waste in drains is a punishable offense and urged residents to be each other’s keeper by reporting offenders to the Assembly or law enforcement agencies for prosecution.

Hon. Issahak disclosed that the cleanup exercise forms part of government’s broader sanitation drive across the country. He said the initiative is essential to prevent flooding, reduce sanitation-related diseases, and promote a clean environment.

The DCE called on all residents, traditional authorities, and community leaders to actively participate in subsequent cleanup exercises. He added that the Assembly will not relent in enforcing its sanitation bye-laws and will sanction anyone found flouting them.

Sompaonline.com/Bawa Baidoo