Mr. Julius Debrah, the Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) Minister, has said it was important to combine efforts to keep the country clean and rid it of filth.

He expressed worry about the insanitary conditions in the cities and towns and said it was becoming a public health issue and that everything must be done to solve the problem.

This demands sustained public education to get the people to change their bad ways and attitudes, he said, adding that the media would have to play a critical role in helping to bring about the change.

Mr. Debrah, who was addressing journalists in Kumasi, said a national sanitation day would be held in the city on January 3, next year, and be dedicated to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, for his concern and contribution towards the promotion of environmental safety.

Mr. Debrah said his ministry would be temporarily re-located to the Ashanti Region, where for two weeks they would work with the metropolitan, municipal and districts assemblies and interact with the people at the grassroots to deepen local governance.

He said it was important to support the assemblies to unearth local economic opportunities and provide support to small and medium-scale enterprises to grow.

Mr. Samuel Sarpong, the Ashanti Regional Minister, welcomed the initiative to bring the ministry closer to the people and said this would ginger the district assemblies to work harder to promote development in their communities.