Mahama calls for monthly national clean-up exercises to tackle flooding

President John Dramani Mahama has called for monthly national clean-up exercises as part of efforts to address Ghana’s recurring flooding challenges.

The President said sustained sanitation activities, including regular desilting of drains and proper disposal of waste, are necessary to improve drainage capacity and reduce the impact of floods.

Mr. Mahama made the call after participating in the opening day of the National Cleaning Exercise at Tse Addo in Accra, on Friday, July 10, where he took part in the desilting works and interacted with participants.

“...at least once a month, let’s set aside one day, and all of us come out and clean the city," the President saidm

President Mahama said the exercise has exposed the extent of plastic waste and accumulated silt clogging drainage systems across the country.

He explained that years of silt accumulation have reduced the capacity of drains to carry large volumes of water, contributing to flooding during heavy rains.

“It is because it is half silted, so the volume of water it can take is diminished," he noted.

The President urged authorities to ensure that waste and silt removed from drains are properly transported and disposed of to prevent them from being washed back into the drainage systems.

He added that the military and other state agencies will continue dredging major waterways to create proper outlets for floodwaters.