According to ghana news agency:ccording to Ghana News Agency, a public announcement issued by the Assembly directed that all shops and commercial centres remain closed during the exercise, with exemptions granted only to pharmacies, fuel stations, chemical shops, koko sellers, and institutions or individuals undertaking special duties. Mr Stephen Adom, Ho Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), stated that the exercise was in line with national efforts to boost sanitation following the launch of the National Sanitation Day by former President John Dramani Mahama.

Mr Adom emphasized the importance of a clean environment, not only for its aesthetic value but also for the health of residents and visitors. He urged residents to take personal responsibility for cleaning their homes and surroundings. Where no communal point has been announced by local leaders, households are expected to engage in ‘Operation Clean Your Frontage and Backyard.’

The Assembly has outlined key focus areas for the clean-up, including sweeping and collecting refuse in public spaces, desilting drains, clearing overgrown weeds, trimming lawns, and planting trees to enhance the city’s greenery. Corporate bodies, public institutions, and civil society groups are encouraged to dress down and actively participate by tidying up their immediate environments.

Mr Adom noted that collective effort is essential to achieve the goal of cleanliness, which should become a cultural norm rather than an occasional activity. Volta Regional Minister Mr James Gunu, along with traditional leaders, security agencies, and community volunteers, led the exercise alongside the MCE.

The MCE appealed to residents to maintain the clean-up culture beyond the Asogli Te Za festivities. He stressed that keeping Ho clean should be a daily responsibility to ensure a healthier municipality. Past clean-up exercises have helped reduce waste accumulation, but authorities emphasize the need for more community ownership to maintain consistent standards.

The October 1 exercise brought together residents, leaders, and institutions in a collective effort to reaffirm Ho’s reputation as a clean and environmentally conscious municipality.