Town’s upkeep my business, Akpe says

MANY call her “leader” because she is a talkative. And she talks for only one purpose – to encourage the public, street vendors and visitors to be responsible of their rubbish.
Anna Akpe or Mama Banz, is a regular face around Banz town, Jiwaka. Her love for her home town has led to doing a routine.
Akpe wakes up at 5:30am every morning to be at Banz town before anyone else. She has been doing this  for the last 15 years.
Mama Banz first volunteered to clean up the town in 2002 and this has developed into a pastime activity.
“I must wake up early from my home at Sipil and be there before anyone. I have to ensure that the town is neat and tidy before the day’s activities begin,” Akpe said.
“I make sure vendors set up their tables in the correct place and take full responsibility of their rubbish. I love my town so much that its upkeep is my personal business.”
She is single, in her late 50s and hails from the Tunjkup tribe, which are traditional landowners of Banz town.
Banz is the main centre of North Waghi district.
According to Akpe, Banz is growing very fast and is bustling with business activities. It is slowly expanding from a tiny township of the people of Jimi and North Waghi to the commercial hub of Jiwaka.