The exercise, held in collaboration with the Wa Municipal Assembly, also formed part of activities leading to the annual International Youth Day celebration on August 12.

The event brought together more than 200 young people from various youth groups, including the Airborne Cadet, cadet corps of Wa Senior High School and Wa Technical Institute, the Ghana Scout Association, Curious Minds Ghana, and She Leads.

Participants cleaned designated public spaces and desilted gutters along major streets in the municipality, while personnel of the Ghana Police Service provided security throughout the exercise.

Addressing participants after the exercise, the Upper West Regional Director of the NYA, Mrs. Vida Addi, said the initiative reflected the Authority's commitment to instilling patriotism and a sense of civic duty among the youth.

She noted that volunteerism and community service remained practical ways for young people to demonstrate love for their country while contributing to sustainable national development.

"What we have done today is to demonstrate patriotism. More than 200 young people have come together to clean our markets and other public places to help keep our community clean. I encourage all of you to continue serving our motherland by maintaining clean surroundings," she said.

Mrs. Addi urged the youth to sustain the spirit of volunteerism beyond the commemorative event and continue making meaningful contributions to their communities.

Mr. Wisdom Kankpenuba, Secretary General of the Ghana Taekwondo Federation, said the participation of the cadet groups highlighted their commitment to nurturing disciplined and responsible citizens through community service.

He stressed that sanitation was a shared responsibility and called on residents to make environmental cleanliness a daily habit rather than limiting it to organised campaigns.

Mr. Umar Saeed Sidibe, a volunteer with Curious Minds Ghana, commended the initiative, describing it as a timely effort to promote healthier and cleaner communities.

He said the exercise complemented the objectives of the Clean Green Work Project, an initiative by Curious Minds Ghana that promotes environmental sanitation, particularly plastic waste management.

"When an organisation is pursuing the same objective you believe in, the best thing is to support it so that together you can achieve a common goal. That is why we joined the NYA and the Wa Municipal Assembly for this exercise," he said.

The National Youth Authority has designated August as National Youth Month to encourage youth participation in national development through volunteerism, civic engagement, and leadership.

The 2026 National Youth Month celebration is being observed on the theme: "Rebuilding Values, Inspiring Patriotism, Empowering the Youth in the Digital Age."