World Clean Up Day 2025: Together for a Cleaner Tomorrow!
At the crack of dawn, 7:00 AM sharp, Laboma Beach in Accra came alive — not with the usual waves and sea breeze, but with passion, purpose, and people ready to make a difference.
The Nurture Nature Foundation (NNF) team proudly joined forces with Let’s Do It Ghana, Mayekoo, AGI, the Indian High Commission, and CMG to mark World Clean Up Day 2025.
The day kicked off with an energizing hour of fitness, setting the perfect tone for action and teamwork.
Armed with tools provided by the organizers, our 14-member NNF team focused on raking, waste segregation, and revitalizing the beach environment, step by step. Each pile of trash collected symbolized hope for cleaner oceans, healthier communities, and a sustainable future.
This effort reflects our deep commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
– Goal 13: Climate Action – Tackling climate change through local action.
– Goal 14: Life Below Water – Safeguarding marine ecosystems.
– Goal 15: Life on Land – Preserving biodiversity and natural habitats.
At NNF, we believe that true change is powered by collaboration. Through partnerships like this, we aim to go beyond one-day cleanups by creating lasting impact through education, advocacy, and sustainable practices.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the incredible organizers — Let’s Do It Ghana, Mayekoo, AGI, the Indian High Commission, and CMG — for bringing diverse stakeholders together to make this vision a reality.
Together, we are not just cleaning a beach; we are nurturing nature, inspiring change, and shaping a greener future for generations to come.
THE GLEFE COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP EXERCISE BY NURTURE NATURE FOUNDATION
The streets of Glefe, a vibrant fishing and trading community in the Ablekuma West Municipality of Accra, came alive over the weekend as residents, youth groups, and local authorities joined forces to wage war on filth in a massive clean-up exercise organized to commemorate World Cleanup Day 2025.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Nurture Nature Foundation (NNF) in partnership with the Glefe Concerned Youth, was held on Saturday, September 20, from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM. It drew an enthusiastic turnout of volunteers from all walks of life, united by a common goal: to restore their community to a cleaner, safer state while laying the groundwork for long-term environmental sustainability.
By the end of the four-hour exercise, several tons of waste, including plastic debris, silt, and household refuse, had been removed from streets, open spaces, and gutters. For many residents, it was a rare opportunity to see their neighborhood visibly transformed.
A united front against poor sanitation
The exercise was the result of weeks of careful planning. NNF formally engaged key stakeholders, including the Ablekuma West Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) and the Municipal NADMO Coordinator, to ensure government presence and active involvement in both logistics and participation. Their attendance on the day highlighted the importance of collaboration between civic groups, government agencies, and local residents.
Municipal officials worked side by side with volunteers, clearing drains and assisting with desilting efforts. NADMO technical teams contributed expertise in handling waterlogged areas and addressing drainage blockages, which have historically contributed to flooding in Glefe.
NNF’s Project Coordinator, Emmanuel Tetteh, emphasized that the exercise was not only about removing waste but also about inspiring residents to see themselves as custodians of their environment.
Tackling glefe’s sanitation crisis head-on
Glefe has long struggled with inadequate sanitation and poor waste management systems. Its dense population, combined with its proximity to the ocean, has made it especially vulnerable to flooding and pollution-related health risks. During the rainy season, clogged drains and indiscriminate dumping frequently lead to flash floods, damaging homes and spreading diseases such as cholera and typhoid.
The cleanup targeted these problems directly. Volunteers focused on de-silting major drains, removing refuse piles, and clearing open spaces. Young people and elders worked side by side with brooms, rakes, wheelbarrows, and sacks, demonstrating unity in action and setting an example for the wider community.
A broader environmental movement
The Glefe exercise followed closely on the heels of another NNF-led coastal cleanup at Laboma Beach earlier this month. By tackling both inland and coastal pollution, NNF underscored its holistic approach to environmental protection — one that recognizes the interconnectedness of waste management on land and in the ocean.
The Foundation’s philosophy is simple yet powerful: to nurture nature through education, advocacy, and action.
Global movement, local transformation
World Cleanup Day, celebrated annually on the third Saturday of September, began in Estonia in 2008 and has since grown into one of the largest civic movements in the world. By joining this effort, Glefe aligned itself with millions of volunteers in over 190 countries working toward a cleaner, healthier planet.
For the residents of Glefe, participation was both a local necessity and part of a global movement. Their efforts sent a clear message that Ghanaian communities are ready to play their part in advancing environmental sustainability.
Appeal for tools and continued support
Despite the success of the exercise, organizers highlighted the shortage of essential tools and safety equipment. Many volunteers lacked gloves and boots, and the limited number of wheelbarrows and shovels slowed the pace of work.
NNF has therefore issued an appeal to corporate organizations, philanthropic groups, and individuals to support future cleanups by donating protective gear, waste management tools, and financial resources. The Foundation also stressed the need for stronger government support, including investment in sustainable waste collection systems and enforcement of sanitation regulations.
Sustaining the gains
NNF announced that this cleanup marks the beginning of a broader campaign. Plans are underway to hold monthly community cleanups and to introduce environmental education workshops in schools across the municipality. These will focus on recycling, proper waste disposal, and water conservation.
Long-term goals include establishing a recycling center for Glefe and advocating for improved drainage infrastructure. By combining civic engagement with policy advocacy, the Foundation hopes to turn the momentum from World Cleanup Day into lasting change.
A call to action
As the sun set over Glefe on Saturday, the community’s streets shone brighter, not only from the absence of refuse but also from the renewed spirit of unity and responsibility. The message was unmistakable: environmental change is possible when everyone contributes.
Peter Asiedu, Executive Director of Nurture Nature Foundation, summed it up with a clear call to action: “The fight for a cleaner Ghana cannot be won by one institution alone. It requires the commitment of every citizen, every leader, and every community. At NNF, we believe that if we nurture nature today, nature will, in turn, nurture our future generations.”
