All is set for the fourth phase of the much touted National Sanitation Day Exercise to be hosted by the Northern Region on Saturday February 7.
[contextly_sidebar id=”nW6aL8NrCK0aGwpcqGZi80tG0uGu77Jq”]A total of 10,000 liter bins, shovels, wellington boots and other sanitation tools have been distributed to all the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies in the region.
The quantity received depended on the status and topography of the assembly in question.
For instance, the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly received 450 liter bins and other tools whilst the Yendi Municipality received 400 liter bins and other tools.
Some selected traditional leaders, security installations and the Northern Regional Chapter of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) received their consignments.
This amounted to a clear demonstration of government’s determination to sustain the exercise.
Under the supervision of Local Government and Rural Development Minister, his Deputy, Hon. Nii Lantey Vanderpuye handed over the resources to the Northern Regional Coordinating Council for onward distribution.
The symbolic presentation was witnessed by some Members of Parliament from the Northern Region led by Hon. Amadu Seidu, MP for Central Gonja.
Hon. Nii Lantey Vanderpuye charged all the beneficiaries to put the items to good use.
He said government was committed to rid the nation of filth, hence the resources procured to sustain the exercise.
He challenged the MMDCEs to promote best sanitation and environmental practices within their jurisdiction.
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna on behalf of the beneficiaries thanked government for the support.
He was optimistic that the sanitation agenda will succeed in the region.
Alhaji Limuna called for a massive participation in the upcoming National Sanitation Day exercise.
The Local Government and Rural Development Minister, Julius Debrah regretted that cholera, diarrhea and other communicable diseases caused by unhygienic practices killed thousands of Ghanaians.
A situation, he described as totally unacceptable for which reason the exercise was introduced as a remedy.
He thereby tasked the MMDCEs to sustain the exercise at all cost.
Second day official tour
The Local Government and Rural Development Minister visited some security installations including the Airborne Force and the Northern Regional Police Command.
He commended law enforcement agencies in the region for maintaining law and peace despite the myriad challenges they were bedeviled with.
At the Northern Regional Police Command, Julius Debrah promised to instruct the MMDCEs to adequately resource police personnel posted to their districts.
He unveiled government’s plan to build at least one police station in volatile communities where such facilities are lacking.
On the upcoming District Assembly and Unit Committee elections, he appealed to the security personnel to actively participate in the elections.
He encouraged the police to deepen their collaboration with the Electoral Commission to always ensure violence free polls.
He commended the police administration for attaching importance to the National Sanitation Day exercise.
The Northern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Ken Yeboah mentioned Tolon, Kumbungu and Mamprugu Mogdo as some of the district which lacked police stations.
He bemoaned chiefs interference in his administration’s attempt to deal with miscreants who violated the nation’s laws with impunity.
According to DCOP Ken Yeboah, cattle rustling and destruction of farmlands by the cattle of Fulani Herdsmen were on the ascendency in the region.
He grieved over the increase in murder cases but gave the assurance that highway robbery had declined due to incessant highway patrols.
DCOP Ken Yeboah requested for enough liter bins and other sanitation tools to improve sanitation in their barracks’.
He reiterated his administrations collaboration with the Electoral Commission to conduct incident free future elections.
Chairman of the Northern Regional Security Council (RECSEC), Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna confessed that the police were on top of surveillance in the region.
He promised the police administration an undisclosed quantity of liter bins and the necessary sanitation tools requested by DCOP, Ken Yeboah.
Political tolerance
The Local Government and Rural Development Minister visited regional offices of the NPP, NDC and CPP.
He commended headship of the various political parties in the region for their peaceful co-existence.
Julius Debrah called for an all inclusive move towards the upcoming National Sanitation Day exercise.
Inspection of development projects
The Local Government and Rural Development Minister inspected the Tamale Airport upgrading and expansion project, visited the Tamale Housing Scheme, the Aboabo shear nut market, the modern Tamale Central Market complex and some projects at the Tamale Nursing Training College.
He also inspected some road projects at Moshie Zongo community.
Julius Debrah rounded up his second day working regional tour with a visit to the offices of government’s development partners under the United Nations.
His entourage included the Northern Regional Minister, Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive, Abdul Hanan Gundado, District Chief for Sagnarigu, Alhassan Mohammed Sorigudoo and technocrats from the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.
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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/Citifmonline.com/Ghana