Police deploy thousands of officers for national general cleanup exercise

The Ghana Police Service has deployed thousands of officers nationwide to support the two-day National General Cleaning Exercise, which commenced on Friday, July 10, as part of efforts to improve environmental sanitation and reduce the risk of flooding.

In a statement, the Police Administration said it had mobilised personnel and logistics to actively participate in the nationwide exercise, which forms part of the government's post-flood response measures.

The Service said officers have been equipped with brooms, wheelbarrows, tricycles and other sanitation tools to facilitate clean-up activities in communities across the country.

It called on the public to join the exercise and work alongside police officers to help create cleaner and safer communities.

"Join our officers in various communities across the country; let us keep Ghana safe and clean," the statement urged.

The National General Cleaning Exercise was announced following the devastating floods of June 29, which affected several parts of the country, particularly the Greater Accra Region.

The floods claimed at least 13 lives, displaced thousands of residents, destroyed homes and businesses, damaged public infrastructure, and highlighted persistent challenges such as poor drainage systems, indiscriminate waste disposal and inadequate environmental sanitation.

As part of the government's response, President John Dramani Mahama directed all government appointees, including Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, Chief Executive Officers of state institutions, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives, and heads of public institutions, to leave their offices and lead clean-up exercises in their respective communities.

The two-day nationwide exercise forms part of recommendations by the government's Post-Flood Mitigation Committee aimed at improving sanitation, desilting drains and reducing the likelihood of future flooding.