Hon. Abubakar made the appeal during a community clean-up exercise organized jointly by the Sekyere Afram Plains District Assembly and the Drobonso Traditional Council on Tuesday. The initiative brought together residents, chiefs, and environmental officers to clear trash from waterways and desilt choked drains in Drobonso, the district capital.

"Blocked drains are the leading cause of flooding in our communities," Hon. Abubakar stated. "Plastics, polythene bags, and bottles obstruct water flow, and we urgently need policy intervention. Paper bags offer a more environmentally friendly solution."

The clean-up exercise, which saw participants removing weeds, packed mud, and dumped refuse from gutters, was praised by the Chief of Drobonso, Nana Dwamena Dankwa Dwebisaw, Otumfo Abomofour Hene. However, the chief urged the District Assembly to go beyond clean-up efforts and enforce strict laws against dumping in drains.

"In the past, communal labour was mandatory, and offenders faced penalties or were taken to court," Nana Dwamena recalled. "We must revive that sense of responsibility. The district engineer and building permits office should monitor all construction to ensure drains are not blocked."

Mr. Agyenim Boateng, the Environmental Health Officer, emphasized the importance of sustained community participation in sanitation efforts.

"Joining clean-up exercises and drain-clearing activities should be a priority for every resident," he said. "We must stop throwing waste into running water and gutters."

Emmanuel Ananaaga, the NADMO Director for Sekyere Afram Plains, also advised residents to maintain cleanliness around their homes and shops, properly bag trash, and cooperate with sanitation inspection teams.

The District Assembly, in collaboration with NADMO, has deployed heavy machinery to dredge major rivers and haul away collected trash as part of ongoing flood prevention measures.