High Turnout for Clean-Up Exercise Ahead of Sefwi Anhwiaso 2025 Eluo Festival
Hamza Mohammed 
High Turnout for Clean-Up Exercise Ahead of Sefwi Anhwiaso 2025 Eluo Festival
The Sefwi Anhwiaso Traditional Council, in collaboration with the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipal Assembly, on Friday, November 21, organized a massive clean-up exercise as part of preparations toward the 2025 Eluo Festival celebrations.
The exercise covered major parts of Bibiani, including the main roundabout, the new and old bus terminals, principal streets, and the Bibiani International Park. The activity attracted a large number of residents, marking a significant improvement compared to previous years.
In past clean-up exercises, participation was often low, with only security agencies showing up in substantial numbers. However, this year’s event recorded an impressive turnout as residents, shop owners, commercial drivers, and youth groups joined hands with the security services to tidy up the municipality.
By 6:00 a.m., hundreds of participants had already gathered at the designated locations, ready to sweep, desilt drains, and clear heaps of refuse. The Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipal Assembly supported the exercise by providing protective equipment, cleaning tools, and trucks to transport the waste to the final disposal site.
Personnel from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) also played a key role. Using their fire tender, they flushed out debris and choked gutters at the main bus terminal, improving sanitation and water flow in the area.
Speaking to the media, Nana Kwesi Ator-Ware II, Chief of Basengely, expressed his appreciation to residents for demonstrating strong communal spirit. He also commended the security agencies for their continuous support in maintaining cleanliness and order in the municipality.
Nana Ator-Ware II encouraged the public to fully participate in this year’s Eluo Festival, slated for November 16 to 23, stressing that a clean environment enhances the beauty, dignity, and success of cultural celebrations.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai, Hon. Sebastian Obeng, played an active and visible role in the exercise, further motivating residents to get involved. He joined the early morning clean-up team at the Bibiani main roundabout, interacting with market women, shop owners, and youth volunteers as they swept and cleared refuse from busy commercial areas.
Hon. Obeng emphasized that sanitation remains a top priority for the Assembly, especially as the municipality prepares to host thousands of visitors during the upcoming Eluo Festival. He noted that maintaining a clean and healthy environment reflects positively on the municipality and enhances the festival experience for tourists and returning residents.
He assured the public that the Assembly is committed to sustaining such community-centered activities, revealing that plans are underway to introduce a monthly clean-up initiative involving traditional leaders, churches, youth groups, transport unions, and trader associations. The MCE encouraged residents to take personal responsibility for their surroundings, stressing that sanitation cannot be left solely to government institutions.
Hon. Obeng commended the collaborative spirit displayed during the exercise, describing it as a testament to the unity and determination of the people of Bibiani. He urged the community to maintain this level of participation beyond the festival, emphasizing that a clean environment helps reduce disease outbreaks, boosts local businesses, and promotes development.
Many participants expressed satisfaction with the organization and impact of the clean-up exercise. They described the activity as both productive and unifying, bringing together people from different backgrounds for a common purpose.
Representatives from various groups—including market women, okada riders, drivers’ unions, church groups, and youth associations—praised the Traditional Council and the Municipal Assembly for reviving the spirit of communal labor. According to them, the high turnout is a clear sign that residents are ready to support initiatives that promote environmental cleanliness and community development.
Some participants appealed to organizers to sustain the clean-up activities beyond the festival period, suggesting that such exercises be held regularly to prevent the buildup of waste in public spaces.
Others recommended that the Assembly intensify public sensitization campaigns on sanitation, enforce by-laws on indiscriminate dumping, and provide more waste bins in busy areas. They believe these measures, together with periodic clean-up exercises, will help maintain the beauty and hygiene of Bibiani throughout the year.
Overall, the strong participation and enthusiasm displayed during the exercise underscored the community’s readiness to support development efforts and ensure a successful 2025 Eluo Festival.
Source:Bibianinews.com
