In line with the first anniversary of the National Sanitation Programme, the Pentecost University College (PUC) has embarked on a five- hour clean-up exercise within the Sowutuom Community and its environs.

The exercise which was supported by Zoomlion Ghana Limited and Honest Waste Management Limited began around 700 hours, covered the PUC Campus, Sowutuom Police Station area towards the Sowutuom Last Stop, Santa Maria Station, and from the Kwashieman lorry park towards the Kwashieman overhead bridge.

Gutters were desilted; as well as weeding and collection of waste materials were carried out by students of the University, in addition to some police officers of the Sowutuom Police Station, and staff of the two waste management companies.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) Mr Charles Tetteh, Project Officer of PUC noted that the exercise aimed at sensitising members of the University community and the Sowutuom community on the need to keep the environment clean.

He said the University was established to impact lives of students both spiritually and academically, however, among its objectives is to train students not only in acquiring academic knowledge, but to develop interest in working towards the development of the country.

Mr Patrick Baidoo, PUC Students Representative Council (SRC) Vice President also told GNA that, issues relating to sanitation had always been a problem within the various communities in Ghana.

According to him, last year a lot of people died as a result of the cholera outbreak, and so, as part of measures to kick out such diseases, it was a laudable initiative to periodically embark on clean-up exercises.

The SRC Vice President, who doubles as an Assembly Member for the New Gbawe Electoral Area, said the National Sanitation Day programme is a good idea to improve sanitation, but could not be sustainable if not managed well.

He explained that while people had developed interest to join the campaign, there are no tools and logistics to carry out the exercise, adding that “even after the clean-up exercise the collection of waste is an issue”.

He described the situation as unfortunate, and could in a way discourage individuals who are willing to partake in the monthly clean-up campaign.

Mr Baidoo said there is a huge gap between the successes of the campaign to resources put in place by government, he therefore, appealed to government to provide the logistics, in order to encourage all and sundry to partake in the initiative.

The PUC’s clean-up exercise also forms part of activities marking its 10th Anniversary Celebrations.

Other forthcoming events to earmark for the celebration are public lecture one and an anniversary service in November; and public lecture two, fundraising dinner, alumni homecoming/ musical concert, graduation and a thanksgiving service in December.