Minister Targets Poverty Reduction With Clean-Up Exercise In Zongos

Saturday, April 28 will witness the launch of the Clean Zongo Project, an initiative of the Ministry of Inner City and Zongo Development.

The Project will be launched in Nima, one of the popular slums in Ghana’s capital, Accra.

The Project will mark the beginning of a monthly exercise that will see residents clean up their environment like in the case of the National Sanitation Day.

Speaking on TV3’s New Day on Thursday, Minister of Inner City and Zongo Development Alhaji Boniface Abubakar Saddique said the exercise is part of the sanitation model of his ministry.

He said the exercise will be rolled out in all Zongos across the country after Saturday’s launch.

The main aim, he indicated, is to reduce poverty in the various Zongos.

“Indirectly, we are going to reduce poverty by cleaning the gutters.”

Aside that, he said the Ministry will next month launch the economic empowerment programme to provide funds for Zongo dwellers.

That programme will see start-ups being boosted and those without plans being furnished with one.

“We can help you build a business plan,” he stated.

Asked if the funds will not end up in the pockets of political party loyalists, the Madina Member of Parliament said his track record in rolling out the erstwhile National Youth Employment Programme is there for all to see.

“In rolling out the Youth Employment Programme, my colleagues [in Parliament] will tell you, I don’t engage people based on political parties.

He claimed that much has been done so far by his Ministry.

He said the Ministry of Finance has released funds for the various projects in the first quarter of 2018.

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