Sunyani, the capital of the Brong-Ahafo Region, has been voted the cleanest city in Ghana for the year 2007 by the Ghana Tourist Board.

A citation accompanying the award prize and a plaque says "this cleanliness and freshness of the sights and sounds of this city makes it the toast of many a visitor to the Brong-Ahafo region".

It says, "Though recently elevated into a municipality, this city continues to employ effective sustainable waste disposal and traffic management practices."

"Thus, it is fast becoming the preferred destination for conference tourism with the support of its star rated and abundant catering service providers."

As part of its award, DPP, an advertising agency is offering a bill board worth GH¢1,000 for advertisements by the Sunyani municipality.

In another development, the Municipal Chief Executive for Sunyani, Kwame Twumasi-Awuah, has presented the award to the paramount chief of Sunyani, Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawiri II, at his palace.

Mr Twumasi-Awuah said that the award follows the industriousness of the staff of the assembly and its development partners like Zoomlion, a waste management company.

He said the assembly has plans to plant along principal streets of the town to beautify it.

Mr Twumasi-Awuah urged the media to educate the public on how to keep the city clean.

The Sunyani Omanhene was delighted about the award and commended the assembly for its good work but cautioned against complacency.

He, however, expressed concern about the increasing number of kiosks placed haphazardly along streets in town and called for something to be done about it.

Nana Nkrawiri said since Sunyani was planned and designed by Europeans, its legacy must be maintained and appealed to municipal planning officers not to compromise on this.