On 4 October, the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly (ASHMA) marked World Cleanup Day with a comprehensive sanitation and dredging exercise aimed at the chronic environmental problem along the Gbeblemɛ storm drain at the New Town Bridge.
Chief Executive Mr Freeman Tsekpo led the operation, warning that residents had turned parts of the storm drain into unauthorized refuse dumps. He announced a two‑pronged plan: heavy machinery would remove all accumulated waste, and a satellite monitoring system would deter future abuse.
As part of community policing, local pig farmers near the area were enlisted as environmental wardens to discourage illegal dumping. Mr Tsekpo also highlighted that the Gbeblemɛ channel is the primary storm drain for Ashaiman and falls under the Hydrological Services Department of the Ministry of Works and Housing.
The Assembly has been lobbying to upgrade the aging earth drain into a modern concrete structure, citing past overflows that caused floods in 2010 and 2018 and minor incidents up to 2024. Recent dredging at the Adjei‑Kojo exit point has, however, prevented severe flooding during recent rains.
With Ashaiman’s population topping 300,000 and intense commercial activity, the MCE said waste segregation is being aggressively promoted, partnering with smart plastic recycling networks and firms such as Safisana, which converts organic waste and faecal matter into electricity.
Assembly members, unit committee members and residents were praised for supporting concurrent clean‑up exercises across various electoral areas to safeguard public health and promote sustainable municipal development.
