With boots on the ground, brooms in hand, and a clear mission to spark a cultural shift, a group of Master’s students from the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC) is taking urban sanitation advocacy to unprecedented heights in Ghana’s capital.
Operating under the name CleanVibeGhana — Social Change Group 9 — the Development Communication students have launched a bold, action-driven campaign that is transforming not just spaces, but attitudes. From the busy streets of Accra to the classrooms of St. John’s Grammar SHS, these change agents are leading a powerful movement to build a cleaner, healthier, and more responsible Ghana.
Their strategy is clear: combine community clean-ups, targeted education, and digital advocacy — all powered by strategic partnerships, most notably with the BuzzStop Boys, one of Ghana’s most recognised youth-led sanitation brands.
“We are not waiting for change to happen. We are becoming the change,” said one team lead during a recent clean-up engagement.
What started as an academic assignment has evolved into a full-fledged urban sanitation revolution — and it’s catching on.
With a strong belief that true development starts with clean communities, CleanVibeGhana hit key sanitation hotspots in Accra in a coordinated clean-up campaign. Armed with gloves, trash bags, and megaphones, the team cleared refuse, unclogged choked drains, and swept neglected streets — all while engaging directly with the public.
From market stalls to transport terminals, the team educated citizens on the importance of hygiene, safe waste disposal, and the health consequences of unsanitary environments, such as cholera, malaria, and typhoid.
“This isn’t just about cleaning for today. It’s about building a culture of responsibility where everyone understands that a clean environment is a shared duty,” a student volunteer said.
A major force behind the campaign’s success is its impactful collaboration with BuzzStop Boys, a popular youth-led initiative known for championing sanitation across Ghana. This partnership brought together academic innovation and grassroots mobilisation, bridging the gap between theory and community action.
CleanVibeGhana and BuzzStop Boys jointly led parts of the clean-up campaign, amplified their message through co-branded social media campaigns, and engaged communities with one powerful voice.
“The BuzzStop Boys added weight and visibility to our efforts. Their reputation for community mobilisation aligned perfectly with our communication strategy,” said a CleanVibeGhana spokesperson.
To ensure sustainability, the campaign also reached younger generations. CleanVibeGhana held an interactive sanitation talk at St. John’s Grammar Senior High School, where hundreds of students were educated on the significance of environmental cleanliness, personal hygiene, and their role as ambassadors of change.
The session highlighted how the youth can lead within their own communities, using peer influence and creative communication to champion sanitation as a national priority.
“Today’s students are tomorrow’s policymakers and community leaders. We must equip them early with the mindset to protect their environment,” one facilitator explained.
Complementing their on-the-ground efforts, CleanVibeGhana has launched an engaging digital campaign that is steadily gaining traction across Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter). Using short videos, infographics, live updates, and reels, the group shares educational content, campaign highlights, and behind-the-scenes footage from their activities.
Viral hashtags like #CleanVibeGhana, #HealthierFuture, and #SanitationIsDevelopment are helping the team connect with wider audiences, especially the urban youth, and turning sanitation into a trending topic online.
“Social media gives our campaign life beyond location. We are not just speaking to Accra — we’re speaking to all of Ghana,” the group noted.
As Ghana continues to battle urban waste and the consequences of poor sanitation, CleanVibeGhana is calling on policymakers, city authorities, youth groups, civil society organisations, and individuals to rise and take ownership of their environment.
“Sanitation should not be left to a few. It is not seasonal. It is not optional. It is a collective duty and a daily commitment,” the campaign team asserted.
The group has pledged to continue its advocacy through more school outreach, market engagements, and community-based clean-up events, while inviting more stakeholders to support their efforts and expand the reach.
