Mission to Transform Lives International (MiTLI), in collaboration with Nananoom, the Environmental Health Unit of the Nkoranza North District Assembly, Zoomlion Ghana Ltd, the Unit Committee, and other community stakeholders, marked the September edition of the National Sanitation Day with a massive clean-up exercise at Odumasi in the Bono East Region.
The event, held on the first Saturday of the month, sought to address poor sanitation conditions and reduce the risk of preventable diseases such as cholera, typhoid, dysentery, and worm infestations. Community members, leaders, and volunteers turned out in large numbers, reflecting the collective spirit of responsibility towards a cleaner and healthier environment.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of MiTLI, Mr. Charles Dodzi Fiabu, highlighted the importance of community-driven initiatives in combating sanitation-related health challenges. He commended the active participation of women, children, and youth, urging them to revive the culture of volunteerism within their neighborhoods. “Research shows that community clean-up exercises significantly reduce the risk of preventable diseases and ultimately save lives,” he emphasized, citing World Health Organization (WHO) findings published in 2023.
The District Environmental Health Officer, Mr. Wayo Osman Zakaria, also addressed participants, stressing the need for consistency in maintaining environmental cleanliness. He encouraged local leaders and residents to dedicate the first Saturday of each month to sanitation activities as part of their civic responsibility. According to him, such deliberate actions would not only improve public health but also enhance the overall wellbeing of communities across the district.
As part of the exercise, participants were divided into groups to ensure effective coverage of key sanitation hotspots. MiTLI led its group in clearing refuse from the community’s crude dumping site, a longstanding challenge that posed serious environmental and health risks. Other groups focused on sweeping public areas, desilting drains, and removing weeds along major pathways.
Residents of Odumasi expressed heartfelt gratitude to MiTLI, Nananoom, and all collaborating partners for their leadership and commitment to improving the community’s sanitation standards. They noted that the initiative not only improved the physical outlook of the town but also reinforced the importance of collective action in tackling pressing health and environmental issues.
The September National Sanitation Day clean-up exercise at Odumasi stands as a testament to the power of partnerships in driving sustainable community development. 
By bringing together civil society, traditional leaders, government agencies, and private sector partners, MiTLI and its collaborators demonstrated that maintaining a clean environment is a shared responsibility.
Looking ahead, MiTLI reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening sanitation and health interventions across the Bono East Region and beyond. The organization believes that continuous education, advocacy, and community participation remain essential in building healthier societies and preventing avoidable disease outbreaks.
The success of the Odumasi clean-up exercise highlights the need for all Ghanaians to embrace sanitation as a national priority and to contribute, in their own small ways, towards a cleaner and safer future for all.
Published: September 13, 2025 | Source: Mission to Transform Lives International (MiTLI)