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In Lorca, powerful example of civic integration and community responsibility is being set by a group often overlooked in debates about immigration. The Association of Ghanaians of Lorca (Asociación de Ghaneses de Lorca) has launched an initiative that not only tackles a persistent urban nuisance but also highlights the essential role that foreign residents play in maintaining and enriching local life.

 

This coming Sunday, June 8, around 150 volunteers from the Ghanaian community will gather at the Plaza del Óvalo to remove chewing gum from some of Lorca’s busiest streets, including Calle Lope Gisbert and Calle Corredera.

 

Supported by the municipal cleaning company Limusa and the Lorca City Council, the campaign aims to raise awareness about the environmental and health risks posed by discarded gum, as well as the high cost and difficulty involved in cleaning it.

 

“We live in Lorca and we want to contribute to improving what is now our city,” said Baba Seidu, president of the Association of Ghanaians of Lorca, during the campaign's presentation. “We will roll up our sleeves together with Limusa to set an example.”

 

Discarded chewing gum, which can take up to five years to degrade, poses more than just a cosmetic problem. According to Lorca mayor Fulgencio Gil Jódar, “Chewing gum is made of synthetic rubber and can carry up to 50,000 germs. It ends up in rivers and seas, harms animals, and is extremely hard to remove from pavements.”

 

To tackle the issue, volunteers will use specially selected plastic scraper blades that do not damage pavement surfaces. The campaign also draws attention to existing municipal regulations: according to Lorca’s General Ordinance on Street Cleaning, gum must be wrapped and placed in a bin, with penalties of up to €6,001 for repeat offenders.

 

But the initiative is about more than just cleanliness. It reflects a deeper message about belonging, responsibility and collaboration.

 

“Every small action counts when it comes to changing the world,” said the mayor. “We recognise the effort they are making, and it’s a double effort because they are doing it on their day off.”

 

Lorca’s Ghanaian community has long contributed to the local economy and society, yet this initiative marks a particularly visible demonstration of integration. Rather than waiting to be included, the community is actively shaping the shared spaces they call home.

 

It’s also a reminder that civic pride is not tied to where one was born, but to how one chooses to live. As Baba Seidu aptly put it, “This will not be the last action. We want to contribute to improving our city, the city of our children.”

 

 

 

Images: Ayuntamiento de Lorca/Asociación de Ghaneses de Lorca