President John Dramani Mahama has proposed the introduction of a monthly national clean-up exercise as part of efforts to improve sanitation and reduce the risk of flooding across Ghana.
The President made the proposal on Friday, July 10, while participating in the first day of the National General Clean-Up Exercise at Tse Addo in the Greater Accra Region. He said a consistent nationwide sanitation campaign would help keep drainage systems free from debris and improve the flow of water during the rainy season.
During the exercise, President Mahama joined residents and other stakeholders in desilting a clogged drain, where he observed significant amounts of plastic waste and accumulated silt obstructing the waterway.
He commended residents for actively participating in the exercise, describing their involvement as a demonstration of the collective responsibility needed to tackle the country’s sanitation challenges.
The President also cautioned against the common practice of leaving dredged silt and waste along roadsides after clean-up exercises. According to him, rainfall often washes the materials back into drains, undermining the objective of the exercise and increasing the risk of flooding.
He therefore urged Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), sanitation authorities and waste management companies to ensure that all collected waste and silt are properly transported and disposed of at designated sites.
“After this, the military and other services are going to continue to dredge the main waterways so that these drains can have an outlet to send the water to those wetlands,” President Mahama said.
“This will be a continuous exercise. At least once a month, let’s set aside one day and all of us come out and clean the city. With the help of the waste management companies, we’ll be able to keep this city clean and also free of flooding.”
The National General Clean-Up Exercise forms part of the government’s post-flood intervention measures following the devastating floods of June 29. The two-day exercise is being conducted across seven flood-affected regions to improve sanitation, clear blocked drains and minimise the risk of future flooding.
Organised under the auspices of the Post-Flood Mitigation Committee, the exercise is being implemented in two phases. On the first day, personnel from the security services, MMDAs and waste management companies spearheaded clean-up activities, while members of the public are expected to join the exercise on the second day.
