Togbega Gabusu VI, Paramount Chief of Gbi Traditional Area has called for the rigid enforcement of environmental and sanitation regulations by Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to keep the environment clean.
He said schools should also inculcate in pupils and students the habit of environmental cleanliness.
Togbega Gabusu made these suggestions in an address at the launch of the 15th Anniversary celebration of the Ghana National Scholarship Beneficiaries Association (GNASBA) at the weekend.
The anniversary was also used to launch the 2008 Schools Environmental Sanitation Educational Campaign sponsored by Fan Milk Limited under the theme; "Changing Attitudes to Sustain Our Environment".
Togbega Gabusu said a combination of punitive measures and sustained public education were necessary measures that could win the fight against bad environmental and unsanitary habits.
He therefore called on the MMDAs to evolve cost-effective and practical measures to compel households to provide modern toilets on their premises.
Mr Baffour Akwasi Oppong, National Chairman of the GNASBA said the campaign, which involved general clean-up exercises, tree planting and educational rallies was meant to show beneficiaries' appreciation to society for supporting their education.
He said the Association had grown 100,000 tree species of various kinds in 104 districts in the country in addition to creating awareness about environmental protection and waste management in schools.
Mr Oppong thanked Fan Milk Limited for supporting the campaign regularly which he said was making significant impact.
Mr Kwasi Attuah, Sales/Marketing Manager of Fan Milk Limited said the company was collaborating with City Waste, a private organization engaged in school sanitation programmes to collect and recycle plastic waste.
He said pupils, students and teachers are expected to take part in the programme this year adding, "We believe we can instil good sanitation practices among students and pupils so that they will grow with it".
The event mobilized pupils and students from 20 public and private schools in the Hohoe Municipality, who cleaned, weeded and desilted choked gutters in the Hohoe Municipal hospital, main market and around the Municipal Assembly area.