A nationwide two-day clean-up exercise begins today as the government intensifies efforts to restore sanitation and reduce flood risks in seven regions affected by the devastating June 29 floods.
The exercise, coordinated by the Post-Flood Mitigation Committee, will bring together personnel from the security services, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), waste management companies and members of the public in a large-scale campaign to clear drains, remove waste and improve environmental sanitation.
Friday’s activities will be spearheaded by security agencies and public institutions, while residents are expected to join the exercise on Saturday.
The initiative follows the June 29 floods, which claimed at least 13 lives, displaced thousands of people and caused extensive damage to homes, businesses and public infrastructure, particularly in the Greater Accra Region.
As part of the exercise, President John Dramani Mahama has directed all government appointees—including Ministers, Members of Parliament, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives, Chief Executive Officers of state institutions and heads of public agencies—to leave their offices and lead clean-up efforts within their respective communities.
Held under the theme “Our Actions, Our Future: Cleaning Ghana after the Floods,” the campaign seeks to encourage collective action towards improving sanitation and preventing future flooding.
The clean-up will focus on desilting clogged drains to improve the flow of stormwater, clearing weeds, sand and debris from roads, and cleaning public spaces such as markets, lorry parks, recreational centres and communal refuse collection sites.
To ensure the success of the exercise, MMDAs have been directed to collaborate with waste management companies to provide cleaning tools, including refuse trucks, shovels and protective equipment, while ensuring the immediate disposal of collected waste.
Meanwhile, markets, shops and trading centres in affected areas are expected to suspend business activities during the exercise.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Thursday, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Shamima Muslim clarified that although Friday is not a public holiday, businesses operating in markets within flood-prone communities will temporarily halt operations between 6:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon to allow the clean-up to take place.
“Tomorrow is not a holiday. We are all coming to work tomorrow and we are all going to engage in the cleanup activity exercises at our workplace,” she said.
The nationwide exercise is being undertaken simultaneously in the Greater Accra, Ashanti, Eastern, Volta, Central, Western and Western North regions.
Government is urging residents, businesses and institutions to fully participate, stressing that sustained sanitation practices and responsible waste management remain critical to preventing future flooding and safeguarding lives and property.
