Accra, Sept. 16, GNA - Mr Jonathan Richardson, Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, on Saturday entertained volunteers who took part in a clean-up exercise organized by the Commission at La, a suburb of Accra to lunch and other inter personal activities.

Officials, who joined the clean up exercise include Mr.ake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Minister of Tourism and Diasporan Relations and wife Mrs. Esther Obetsebi-Lamptey, Nii Kpobi Tettey Tsuru III, La Manste, Nii Amasa Namoale, Member of Parliament for La, some members of Infanta Malaria, a non governmental organization that works to combat malaria among infants.

The clean up exercise dubbed, "Clean Up the World" which is one of the biggest community based global environmental campaigns was being held simultaneously in over 100 countries in the world. The clean up volunteers included students from IPS, Ghana International School, Lincoln University and residents of La. The exercise is also part of an annual clean up exercise, which is part of activities to celebrate he international year of deserts and desertification.

Giving a brief history about the "Clean Up the World campaign, Mr Richardson said the campaign begun in Australia over 15 years ago with a Clean up Australia day when over 40,000 people worked to clean up Sydney Harbour and its shoreline.

He said the event led to the formation of the "Clean Up the World" organization, which has since 1993 helped promote annual clean up programmes in the third weekend in September through affiliated members around the world.

The High Commissioner said the programme also encourages members to think about ways of engaging their communities in long-term environmental initiatives.

The Australian High Commission provided participants with protective clothing, tools, waste disposal facilities, transportation and promotional materials for the event.