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Kwame Hagan Writes: Keeping Ghana Clean; Whose Responsibility Is It?

Gutter in Accra
Gutter in Accra

I’ve always maintained the position that Ghana is a very dirty country, perhaps being on top of the imaginary list of Africa’s Dirtiest Countries I’ve created; and every right thinking Ghanaian or non-Ghanaian resident will attest to this statement even though it does not put the country in a positive light.

From the numerous streets to the homes (including bedrooms) of many Ghanaians, the most visible thing one is sure to come across is heaps of garbage. It’s so ill-fated that most Ghanaians do not realize how such filth can cause real teething troubles. A clear example is the massive June 3rd flood that caused the death of several innocent and guilty Ghanaians.

Even before the deluge, several individuals had lost their precious lives through cholera, a malady that has totally lost standing in some countries. In my recent photo report, I was dumbfounded to have come across waste materials comfortably seeking shelter in open gutters. Interestingly, these gutters were either behind the homes or eateries of people who count themselves among human beings. Even though such ‘borla’ in the city is visible everywhere in the country, no measures have been put in place to do away with it.

The only question that comes to mind is; whose responsibility is it to keep Ghana clean?

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IN PHOTOS: All-Round Filthy Gutters in the Capital | Why Accra Still Records the Highest Cases of Cholera in Ghana in this 21st Century

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Accra, Capital of Ghana

Seriously, Accra is more than qualified to be ranked among the many African cities that truly understand dirtiness – and I mean real dirtiness. If you’ve had the opportunity to live in Ghana’s finest capital city before, this assertion will not sound eccentric to you.

From the homes of many Ghanaians living in Accra to the streets, one thing that you’re sure to come across is filth, most of it being sachet water rubbers.It is not surprising that Accra still records the highest cases of cholera in Ghana in this 21st century.

Mind you, the Mayor of Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Dr. Alfred Okoe Vanderpuye was recently adjudged Africa’s Best Mayor for developing the capital city. Development indeed! And a billboard was even mounted in Accra to welcome our Mayor back after a trip to receive his award in Angola. Dumping of garbage in gutters without any restriction is a norm in Ghana and as such, people gladly adhere to this rule – from the law enforcer to the layman on the street.

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Accra, Capital of Ghana

GhanaCelebrities.Com decided to visit some areas in the capital and check out how clean Ghanaians keep their gutters. Our ratings, on a scale of 0 – 100, might give the impression that we are mean to Ghanaians so we will allow you to do the ratings after glancing through the photos.

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