Residents of Alakple in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region turned out in their large numbers on Saturday, August 1, 2026, to undertake a massive community cleanup and fumigation exercise aimed at improving environmental sanitation and preventing the outbreak of diseases, particularly malaria.
The exercise, which attracted an overwhelming response from residents, was organised by Miss Alaska 2026 in collaboration with The Goodhearts Foundation and Agbome Ladies, under the auspices of the National Management Council of Alakple.
Participants, including the youth, women, opinion leaders and volunteers, swept principal streets, desilted choked gutters, cleared overgrown weeds, collected refuse and cleaned public spaces before fumigating the entire community to eliminate mosquitoes and other disease-carrying pests.
The initiative formed part of efforts to encourage environmental cleanliness and promote healthy living among residents.
Addressing participants before the commencement of the exercise, Felix Deyegbe, a Physician Assistant and a native of Alakple, commended the community for the impressive turnout and urged residents to make cleanliness a daily habit rather than an occasional activity.
“A clean environment begins with each one of us. Good personal hygiene and proper sanitation are among the most effective ways of preventing diseases and improving the health of our community,” he said.
Mr Deyegbe educated residents on malaria, describing it as one of the leading causes of illness in Ghana. He stated that common symptoms include fever, chills, headaches, body pains, vomiting, weakness and loss of appetite, urging residents to seek prompt medical attention whenever they experience such symptoms.
He also advised households to eliminate stagnant water around their homes, sleep under insecticide-treated mosquito nets, keep their surroundings clean and actively participate in regular community sanitation exercises to reduce mosquito breeding.
“Do not wait until you become seriously ill before visiting a health facility. Regular medical check-ups help detect diseases early and improve treatment outcomes,” he advised.
Residents who participated in the exercise praised the organisers for mobilising the community towards a common cause and expressed hope that similar initiatives would be sustained to keep Alakple clean throughout the year.
Alakple is a coastal community in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region, renowned for its strong communal spirit and rich Ewe cultural heritage. Fishing constitutes the major occupation of the people, while communal labour remains an integral part of the town’s development efforts.
The successful cleanup and fumigation exercise demonstrated the community’s commitment to environmental cleanliness, disease prevention and collective responsibility towards building a healthier and more resilient Alakple.
By: Daniel Orlando/newsalertgh.com
