Ghana Buz Stop Boys lead civic movement to clean cities

A group of young professionals, the Buz Stop Boys, is spearheading a movement to clear the streets and change attitudes toward waste.

Formed in July 2023 by civil engineer Heneba Kwadwo Sarfo, the group has grown from just five members to more than 40 volunteers, including tradespeople, midwives, and military officers, all committed to tackling the country’s waste problem.

The group’s efforts, which involve clearing clogged drains, trimming overgrown grass, and picking up trash two to four times a week, have drawn attention and praise from both local and international supporters.

Their influence reached across borders when a group of UK teenagers visited Accra to join the clean-up efforts.

Sarfo, the group’s leader, shared the vision behind the initiative: “Our goal is not just to clean the streets but to change mindsets.

If we can make people understand that keeping their environment clean benefits everyone, we’ll have a cleaner, healthier, and prouder Ghana.”

He credits social media for helping to spread their message, which has inspired celebrities like musician and activist Sister Derby, who called their efforts “pure selflessness.”

The Buz Stop Boys have also earned support from influential Ghanaian musicians and political figures.

Dancehall artist Shatta Wale publicly applauded their work, raising 30,000 cedis during a live TikTok session, and former President John Mahama donated 50,000 cedis toward their cause.

Despite the political backing, the group remains nonpartisan, with a sole focus on creating a cleaner Ghana.

Encouraging citizens to take action, Sarfo emphasized the importance of local involvement: “Waiting for government hasn’t worked over the decades. When there’s an environmental disaster, we as citizens suffer the most. It’s time we rise and help ourselves.”