As the Upper East Regional capital, Bolgatanga, continues to grapple with mounting sanitation challenges, a group of spirited young volunteers has taken it upon themselves to lead by example.
Calling themselves “The Street Janitors,” these self-motivated youth have launched a grassroots clean-up campaign, determined to restore dignity and cleanliness to their city—one Saturday at a time.
Armed with brooms, shovels, and wheelbarrows, they sweep streets, desilt gutters, and collect garbage from neglected corners of the town. Their mission is simple: to give back to the city that raised them.
In an interview with Asaase News, Atibila Godfred Asuremaya shared the inspiration behind the movement.
“I saw a group called the Bus Stop Boyz doing something similar two months ago. I posted about it on Facebook, and a few friends responded positively. We said, ‘If others can do it, why not us?’ That’s how it all started. This is our way of giving back to society,” he stated.
Godfred, who juggles roles as a teacher, student, and tailor, stressed that many people wait until they reach a certain financial or social status before attempting to make a difference—but The Street Janitors believe action can begin now, with the little one has. “We always think we need money before we can give back. But we’re young and energetic. We can start with what we have—our time and effort,” he said.
A city in crisis
Godfred painted a bleak picture of Bolgatanga’s sanitation situation. “If you ride a motorbike around town, you’ll see that almost every place has a problem. Choked gutters, garbage everywhere. It’s a serious issue—and it’s not just the government’s fault. We, the residents, are part of the problem too—how we burn rubbish, how we throw things around.”
He believes the real issue lies in mindset and awareness. “Education is not only schooling. It’s about enlightening the mind. If we truly understood how poor sanitation affects our health, our farms, and our image as a city, we’d all do something about it.”
A call for collective action
While their actions have caught attention, Godfred made it clear that The Street Janitors are not seeking fame or applause. “This is not about who’s on camera. This work isn’t for one person, it’s for all of us. The moment you are in Bolgatanga, this place belongs to you. Let’s stop pointing fingers. We need support, not spectators.”
He called on residents to drop the “someone else will do it” mentality and embrace a sense of ownership and collective responsibility.
“Even if you’re only here temporarily, making this place clean benefits you too. Whether direct or indirect, there are gains when you contribute to a cleaner Bolga.”
The group is growing steadily, with more youth showing interest in volunteering their time. Their message is resonating, especially with young people who feel disillusioned by inaction from authorities.
“You don’t need to be an assemblyman or MP to create change. Just start. Join us. We are The Street Janitors. Let’s keep Bolgatanga clean together,” Godfred added.
Reporting by Mark Smith for Asaase News in the Upper East Region
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