Sunyani (B/A), March 13, GNA - The Sunyani Municipality, which was gradually losing its status as one of the cleanest municipalities to filth on Saturday redeemed its image when residents undertook a massive clean-up exercise. Weddings and other social activities were voluntarily rescheduled as almost every resident, including public officials, security personnel, religious organizations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other identifiable groups excitedly participated in the exercise, which started at about 0700 hours and lasted for several hours. They weeded bushy surroundings, collected piled up garbage at various points and cleaned the gutters and streets. Some of the residents took advantage "to put their houses in order", removing cobwebs, mending fences and tending flowers. Market women at the

Sunyani Market had started cleaning their stalls on Friday. When the GNA visited the market at 1700 hours on Friday most of the women were seen scrubbing their wooden structures as well as the floor. The general exercise was started from Cocoa House and extended to the Sunyani Market and Lorry Station before moving to the Nana Bosoma Market, where they cleaned the public place of convenience and cleared bushes. Nana Kwadwo Seinti, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, addressing the residents tasked sachet water producers to help the Municipal Assembly to generate funds to employ people to go round to collect used sachet bags. He commended the people for turning out massively for the exercise and urged them to maintain the spirit for subsequent exercises.

Mr Kofi Poku-Adusei, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development said the exercise, which was being carried out nationwide was in line with the National Health Insurance Policy to rid the country of filth as a major cause of diseases. He noted that the exercise would boost tourism in the Region and was being carried out in preparation for the celebration of Ghana's Independence golden jubilee, which was likely to attract tourists. Mr Kwame Twumasi-Awuah, Municipal Chief Executive, gave the assurance that the Assembly would do its best to ensure good sanitation in the municipality, adding that the exercise would be carried out monthly. Mr Ignatius Baffour Awuah, Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Nana Bosoma Asor Nkrawiri II, Omanhene of Sunyani Traditional Area, Nana Yaa Nyaama II, queenmother and other heads of ministries and departments and agencies also participated in the exercise.