President John Dramani Mahama has proposed a monthly national clean-up exercise as part of measures to improve sanitation and reduce the risk of flooding across the country.
Speaking to the media on Friday, July 10, during the first day of the National General Clean up exercise at Tse Addo in the Greater Accra Region, President Mahama said a sustained sanitation drive would help keep drainage systems clear and prevent future flooding.
He made the proposal after joining residents and other stakeholders to desilt a clogged drain in the community, where he observed large amounts of plastic waste and accumulated silt obstructing the free flow of water.
President Mahama expressed appreciation to residents who participated in the exercise, saying their involvement demonstrated a collective commitment to addressing Ghana’s sanitation challenges.
He also cautioned against the practice of leaving removed silt along roadsides after clean-up exercises, noting that rainfall often washes the waste back into drains and worsens flooding.
President Mahama therefore urged authorities and stakeholders involved in sanitation activities to ensure that collected waste and silt are properly transported and disposed of at appropriate locations.
“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.
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,” he said.
The two-day National General Clean up exercise commenced on Friday, July 10, across seven flood-affected regions as part of government’s post-flood interventions to improve sanitation, clear blocked drains and reduce the risk of future flooding following the June 29 floods.
The exercise, organised under the auspices of the Post-Flood Mitigation Committee, is being implemented in two phases, with personnel from the security services, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), and waste management companies leading activities on Friday, while members of the public are expected to participate on Saturday.
