Accra, Aug. 17, GNA - The Madina West Council of Ulama (Islamic religious leaders) in collaboration with the Ga East Municipal Assembly on Saturday undertook a massive clean-up exercise in the community as a prelude to the Ramadan Muslim fasting period expected to commence on August 22. Partakers of the exercise, led by the Chief Imam of Madina- Zongo, Sheikh Yunus Ibrahim and opinion leaders of Zongo Junction, Libya Quarters, Washington, UN and SDA communities desilted choked gutters and cleared weeds and filth.

The exercise was on the theme: "Cleanliness is next to Godliness." Sheikh Yunus said it was in line with the teachings of the founder of Islam; Prophet Mohammed, who enjoined his followers to keep their surroundings clean and maintain good personal hygiene. Sheikh Yunus said the exercise was meant to sensitize the people, especially the youth to ensure that they maintain good sanitation at all times and especially during the fasting period. He urged the youth to take the mantle of assisting in the socio economic development of their localities by helping to raise public awareness of good sanitation and environmental cleanliness and to lead the people in undertaking communal services. The Chief Imam said the Council of Ulama would enforce discipline in the area and therefore urged the people to co-operate to make the Madina- Zongo community a conducive place to live in. Sheikh Yunus appealed to the municipal assembly to provide refuse containers and litter bins at vantage points to reduce the haphazard ways of dumping of refuse especially in drains.

Mr John Kwao Sackey, Municipal Chief Executive said sanitation issues were of major concern to the assembly and would therefore encourage and support any community that embarked on clean-ups and other good environmental exercises to prevent the spread of diseases. He advised the people to desist from activities that created the impression that the Zongo community was linked with dirt and filth. Mr Sackey asked them to embark on a sustained programme of sensitizing people against indiscriminate dumping of refuse. Alhaji Amadu B. Sorogho, Member of Parliament of Abokobi- Madina, stressed on the need for parents, to inculcate good sanitation and hygienic practices among the youth. He urged students to take advantage of the free vacation classes he has organised in the area at an estimated cost of GH¢6000 to enable them to improve on their academic pursuit. 17 Aug. 09