The District Environmental Health Officer for Agotime-Ziope, Millicent Mensah, has urged residents to adopt responsible environmental practices to protect public health and preserve the environment.

Speaking during activities to mark World Environment Day, Ms Mensah stressed the importance of collective action in maintaining clean surroundings and preventing environmental degradation.

She described the environment as a shared resource that must be protected for future generations and encouraged residents to take responsibility for keeping their communities clean.

“The environment in which we live has been given to us by God, and it is our responsibility to sustain it for future generations. We must all play our part in keeping our surroundings clean and healthy,” she said.

Ms Mensah identified the indiscriminate disposal of refuse into drains as a major environmental challenge in the district, noting that waste often ends up in water bodies used by residents, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases.

She also expressed concern about the continued practice of bush burning, particularly during the dry season, warning that it destroys farms, vegetation and other property.

According to her, environmental cleanliness is essential for disease prevention and sustainable development, and residents should avoid dumping solid and liquid waste into drains and waterways.

On sanitation management, Ms Mensah said residents who intend to empty septic tanks and other sanitation facilities are required to register with the district office before dislodgement services are carried out.

She explained that households that discharge wastewater into public drains are educated on proper maintenance and encouraged to keep drains clean to prevent pollution.

The Environmental Health Officer noted that the district assembly works with approved service providers to transport and dispose of waste at designated sites.

She said the district has a controlled dumping site where waste is managed under regulated conditions to ensure environmental safety.

Ms Mensah also highlighted ongoing public education campaigns on safe water practices, especially in communities that depend on surface water sources.

According to her, Environmental Health Officers provide water treatment chemicals such as Aquatabs and encourage residents to boil and filter water before consumption where necessary.

She disclosed that some residents in Kpetoe are receiving treated water from River Tordze through interventions by the Community Water and Sanitation Agency.

Ms Mensah commended World Vision Ghana for supporting access to potable water through the provision of mechanised boreholes in several communities within the district.

She further revealed that government has allocated resources for the drilling of additional boreholes in communities facing water shortages.

She expressed confidence that these interventions would improve access to safe drinking water and contribute to better public health outcomes across the district.