It was part of efforts to promote environmental cleanliness and responsible waste management as well a week-long initiative dubbed: “Eco-Plastics Week Celebration", aimed at increasing public awareness about plastic pollution and rallying stakeholder support to curb indiscriminate disposal of plastics in open spaces.

The campaign, which focused on market traders and shop owners, highlighted the dangers associated with improper handling of plastic waste, especially sachet water rubbers, polythene bags, and other non-biodegradable materials that littered streets, clogged drains, and polluted the environment.

As part of the activities, a team from the Ummy Relief Foundation, accompanied by volunteers, visited the Tamale and Aboabo markets to engage traders in discussions, to encourage them on environmentally-friendly practices such as reusing plastic containers, reducing the use of single-use plastics, and properly disposing off waste.

Before the sensitization campaign at the markets, the team paid courtesy call on the Dakpema of Tamale (a Chief), Naa Fuseini Bawa, at the Dakpema Palace to seek his support for the exercise.

Naa Fuseini Bawa commended the group for the initiative, describing it as a critical step towards building a cleaner and healthier Tamale Metropolis.

Mr. Abdul-Mumin Alhassan, a representative of the Ummy Relief Foundation, explained that the campaign formed part of the Foundation’s broader environmental protection initiative to complement the efforts of government and local authorities in reducing plastic pollution.

He said, “Plastic waste has become a major environmental challenge, especially in our markets. We are here to educate and empower the people, especially traders to understand their role in keeping our environment clean.”

He said market centres, being hotspots for plastic use and waste generation, required targeted interventions that engaged traders as active partners in change.

The traders welcomed the initiative describing it as timely and necessary.  

Madam Asana Issah, a vegetable seller at Aboabo Market, said the lack of waste bins and inadequate public education had worsened sanitation issues in the area.

She appealed for regular sensitization campaigns and the provision of bins to help maintain cleanliness.