The ninth National Sanitation Day was on Saturday hosted by the Central Region.

The exercise, which was led by Osabarima Kwesi Attah II, Chief of Cape Coast, included Alhaji Collins Dauda, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Aquinas Tawiah Quansah, Central Regional Minister and Mrs Priscilla Arhin Kwarankye, Cape Coast Metropolitan Chief Executive.

Some Members of Parliament (MP) including the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry and MP for Cape Coast South, Mr Kweku Ricketts-Hagan and some staff and heads of departments began the cleanup exercise within the metropolis at exactly 0600 hours.

All shops at the markets were closed as some of the traders joined the exercise.

The major drains and gutters along the roads, which were chocked in the metropolis were desilted.

Volunteers from the Concerned Citizens Association and Service Personnel also joined the exercise.

Two recalcitrant drivers, who moved their vehicles despite an order for everyone to join in the exercise, were arrested by the police on the orders of Osabarima Attah II.

Osabarima Attah II said the exercise was very successful, and that, the sustainability of the project was the most important thing.

He thanked the people of Cape Coast for their participation and appealed to them to report to the metropolitan assembly anyone who indiscriminately dumps refuse in the drains.

Alhaji Dauda urged members of the communities to continue the exercise to promote good environmental health to avoid the outbreak of diseases.

He said this will save the country huge sums of money to control the outbreak of diseases, which can be used for developmental projects.

He thanked the Central Regional Coordinating Council, the pressure groups and the residents for their participation and urged them to continue the exercise on weekly basis in their areas.