Ghanaian Clean-Up Group Gains Support from Celebrities and Politicians

A collective known as Buz Stop Boys, primarily composed of young professionals and tradespeople, is spearheading a movement for civic responsibility in Ghana. They actively remove unsightly piles of waste from urban and rural areas nationwide using brooms and shovels. This endeavor has garnered praise from Ghanaian celebrities and political figures, and even attracted UK teenagers who traveled to Accra, the capital, to participate in the cleaning efforts. Heneba Kwadwo Sarfo, the leader of Buz Stop Boys, informed the BBC that their objective extends beyond mere street cleaning to “change mindsets.” He further stated, “If we can make people understand that keeping their environment clean benefits everyone, we’ll have a cleaner, healthier, and prouder Ghana.” Ghana produces approximately 12,700 tonnes of solid waste daily, with only 10% being properly managed. Driven by frustration with the pervasive refuse and the resulting flooding, the Buz Stop Boys conduct operations in Greater Accra between two and four times weekly. Their activities involve clearing obstructed drains and gutters, pavements, and roads, in addition to trimming overgrown grass. The participation of volunteers fluctuates, contingent on individual availability. Mr. Sarfo, a civil engineer, established the group in July 2023 with an initial five members. He chose the name Buz Stop Boys, anticipating its broad appeal to the public. Mr. Sarfo explained, “The rich and poor, everybody knows what a bus stop is.” What began as a modest initiative has since expanded into a significant movement, now comprising over 40 men and women from various professions, including midwives, carpenters, and military officers. Mr. Sarfo stated, “Social media has been key in getting more people to join our movement.” He added, “Through our videos, we’ve been able to change the mindset of some people, but there’s still a lot of work to do.” This outreach also resulted in a contingent of UK students traveling to Ghana during their summer vacation to assist with a clean-up effort in Ablekuma, a district within Accra known for its waste management challenges. Mr. Sarfo regarded their presence as a catalyst for greater local participation. He urged, “Don’t sit back at home and say you don’t care. One thing is key, without [the] environment we are useless, we are nonentities, and we can’t survive on this planet.” Sister Derby, a renowned musician and human rights activist, has publicly endorsed the Buz Stop Boys, commending their efforts on her Instagram and X accounts. She informed the BBC that she was moved by their “pure selflessness,” and that she and her brother had once participated alongside them in cleaning a section of a street market in central Accra. Additionally, dancehall celebrity and entrepreneur Shatta Wale has shown his support for the group, contributing to the collection of 30,000 cedis ($1,830, £1,415) during a live TikTok broadcast. He remarked, “These boys are the real heroes. They are doing what most of us are too busy or too proud to do. If we all helped them, imagine how beautiful Accra would be.” Political figures have also augmented the donations. Former President John Mahama, who is seeking re-election in the December elections as a candidate for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), contributed 50,000 cedis. Concurrently, Transport Minister Asensu Boakye, representing the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), provided 10,000 cedis. Mr. Sarfo expressed gratitude for the contributions, explaining that the funds are utilized to support their operations, such as covering the costs of waste disposal and purchasing fuel for their tricycle, which transports refuse to a designated site. The Buz Stop Boys maintain a politically non-partisan stance, dedicating their efforts entirely to achieving their objective of a cleaner Ghana, street by street. Mr. Sarfo asserted, “Individuals should take up initiatives because waiting for government hasn’t worked over the decades and the records also show that in the event of an environmental disaster we as citizens suffer the most.” He concluded, “It is therefore important for us to rise and help ourselves.” Mark Wilberforce is a freelance journalist situated in London and Accra. For additional news from the African continent, visit BBCAfrica.com. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa, or on Instagram at bbcafrica. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is available.