Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, has called on residents in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis to prioritise sanitation and desilt choked gutters as the region braces for intensified rainfall in the coming weeks.
The Minister made the appeal during this year’s Eid al-Adha prayers at the Takoradi Central Mosque, where he urged both Muslims and non-Muslims to come together in a collective effort to prevent further flooding disasters.
According to him, recent heavy rains have already caused significant destruction in parts of the metropolis, warning that the situation could worsen if immediate action is not taken to improve sanitation in communities.
“Today we celebrate Eid, but tomorrow we must all pick up the spades and clear our gutters,” Mr. Nelson stated.
“The rains are increasing and if we fail to act together, we risk exposing our communities to more devastating floods.”
He stressed that sanitation should not be viewed as the responsibility of government alone, but rather a shared civic duty that requires the active participation of residents, religious bodies, and local leaders.
The Minister further appealed to community members to desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drains, describing the practice as a major contributor to perennial flooding in the metropolis.
Mr. Nelson commended the Muslim community for their contribution to peace and development in the region and encouraged them to use the Eid celebration as an opportunity to promote unity, discipline, and communal responsibility.
He assured residents that the government remains committed to improving drainage infrastructure in flood-prone areas but emphasised that public cooperation remains critical in addressing the sanitation challenge.
