The founder of Ghana’s renowned sanitation group, Buz Stop Boys, Heneba Kwadwo Sarfo, has recounted how he started the initiative in 2021 with his girlfriend—now his wife—at a time when he was jobless and uncertain about his future.
Sarfo, a trained civil engineer, said he was driven by the desire to make a difference during a period of unemployment after school. Inspired by his father’s constant reminder that “service to mankind is service to God,” he and his then-girlfriend decided to spend their idle time addressing the growing sanitation crisis in Accra.
His powerful story came to light after he was named Digital Hero of the Year during the seventh edition of MTN Heroes of Change, an award programme that honours ordinary Ghanaians making extraordinary contributions to their communities.
Sarfo received a cash prize of GH₵30,000, a certificate, and a commemorative plaque.
The Digital Hero category specifically recognises individuals leveraging social media and digital platforms to drive positive change in Ghana.
Fighting filth with purpose
Speaking during the awards ceremony, Sarfo revealed that his initial aim was to stop plastic waste from ending up in the sea. But after further thought, he realised the root of the problem began in the city’s choked drainage systems.
Sarfo’s Buz Stop Boys has since become a powerful force in Ghana’s sanitation movement.
The group rose to prominence through their compelling social media presence—videos and photos of their street-cleaning campaigns often go viral, earning admiration and praise from the public and government alike.
But their mission is more than just cleaning streets. It is about changing mindsets.
He cautioned the public against indiscriminate littering and poor waste disposal practices, warning that such behaviour directly contributes to the spread of diseases like cholera, malaria, and typhoid.
Who are the Buz Stop Boys?
The Buz Stop Boys emerged on Ghana’s social media scene as a team of young volunteers who take sanitation into their own hands.
They clean gutters, de-silt choked drains, sweep media of roads, collect plastics, and sweep major streets—often with zero funding.
What sets them apart is their use of smartphones to document their work.
The group uses platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter (X) to rally support and raise awareness.
Their grassroots approach and online influence have not only earned them accolades but also inspired similar community clean-up initiatives across the country.
Inspiring digital change-makers
Sarfo urged young Ghanaians to stop using smartphones solely for entertainment since it can be their weapon for change.
As he continues to grow Buz Stop Boys into a national movement, Sarfo said his hope is for a Ghana where drains are clean, waste is properly managed, and citizens understand that a clean environment is everyone’s responsibility.
With this MTN Heroes of Change honour, Sarfo’s journey—once sparked by unemployment and a father’s proverb—now stands as a beacon of hope, responsibility, and purpose-driven digital influence.
