As part of its support for the two-day National General Cleaning exercise ordered by President John Dramani Mahama, waste management giants Zoomlion Ghana Limited have mobilised 2,000 personnel and equipment nationwide to join the effort.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the cleanup operation on Day One, Friday, July 10, Managing Director of Zoomlion Ghana Limited Doris Kwekwor Adjei said her outfit had responded swiftly to the President’s call by partnering with the government to reclaim communities affected by recent floods.
“We have deployed our equipment: tractors, backhoes, compaction trucks, tricycles, brooms, shovels, and more, to support communities in this exercise. We have 2,000 men on the ground,” she disclosed.
She added that Zoomlion had also opened transfer stations and deployed fumigation teams to curb potential disease outbreaks.
“We have been to Alajo and other affected areas. We deployed our equipment to fumigate because, as you are all aware, in times like this, we are prone to certain health risks,” she said.
According to the Zoomlion MD, citizen attitude remained a major barrier to lasting cleanliness, and she called for continuous sensitisation.
“One major challenge is attitude. In most of the places we’ve visited, you find people sitting on fences or littering indiscriminately. I urge every Ghanaian to understand that this is for us — we need to desilt and clean the drains in our own homes,” she noted.
Mrs Adjei stressed that “sanitation is a continuous thing. It cannot be a nine-day wonder. It still boils down to attitude and sensitization, teaching citizens when to dispose of bottles, where to place organic waste, and how to keep their surroundings clean.”
On calls for a review of waste management contracts, she said Zoomlion was ready to work with the government on any new arrangements.
“Absolutely. You can all see what’s going on. Yes, we are looking forward to that, and we pray it comes through soon. Together, we can support the government because we are Ghanaians, and Ghanaian challenges must, and should, be resolved by Ghanaians,” she averred.
The two-day exercise, which began on Friday, July 10, is expected to end on Saturday, July 11 with a focus on desilting drains, evacuating waste, and disinfecting flood-hit areas across the country.