KONONGO, ASHANTI REGION – The Asanteman Anti-Pollution Coalition (AAPC) yesterday carried out an intensive clean-up exercise at Elite Comprehensive School, Ahenbronum in Konongo, as part of its ongoing campaign to promote environmental safety and public health.

The exercise came three days after a stakeholder meeting held at the school, where members of the Coalition identified serious health threats. Pupils were found learning in an extremely unkempt environment littered with plastics, solid waste and stagnant liquid waste — conditions described by AAPC as a “recipe for disease outbreak.”

Leading the 4-hour exercise, Founder and Executive Director of AAPC, Mr. Krobea Asante, popularly known as Oman Doctor, mobilized members to desilt and fumigate gutters, collect refuse, and disinfect areas prone to mosquito breeding.

Protecting Our Future Leaders

The Proprietor of Elite Comprehensive School, Mr. Gyekye Richardson, commended AAPC for the intervention. He joined members on the field and voluntarily pledged to become a volunteer of the Coalition to sustain sanitation efforts in the school.

AAPC also used the opportunity to engage pupils directly. The team dedicated ample time to educate them on the importance of maintaining a clean environment and their role as “agents of change.”

"Mosquitoes breed in this filth and bring malaria to our children. Plastics and liquid waste bring cholera, typhoid, dysentery and many other preventable diseases. We cannot allow our future leaders to learn in an environment that makes them sick."

Educating Agents of Change

During the sensitization, the pupils were urged to be proactive about their surroundings. The team highlighted that personal hygiene and environmental cleanliness go hand in hand to foster a safe learning environment.

"Every one of you must be an agent of change. When you keep your surroundings clean, you protect yourself, your friends, and your community from sickness."

The Coalition expressed profound gratitude to all members who showed up for the exercise. Special appreciation was extended to Dr. Francis Owusu Anane, CEO of New Age Agro Services, for donating chemicals used to control mosquitoes in the school.

"AAPC is poised to promote environmental safety across Asanteman and beyond. We are calling on citizens to uphold the highest standards of public health safety. A clean environment is not a favor, it is a necessity for survival," a statement from the Coalition noted.

Call for Support and Partnership

In closing, Mr. Asante pleaded with benevolent individuals, corporate bodies and philanthropists to support AAPC with logistics and monetary support to aid its operations across communities.

"This vision to KEEP GHANA CLEAN cannot be done alone. We appreciate every member who supports the vision and mission of AAPC. With your support, we can prevent disease and build healthier communities."

AAPC reaffirms its commitment to continue community clean-ups, education and advocacy as part of its mandate to safeguard public health in the region.