Deputy Defence Minister calls for sustained clean-up beyond two-day exercise
The Deputy Minister for Defence, Ernest Brogya Genfi, says the volume of waste generated by recent flooding is too enormous to be cleared within the two-day National General Cleaning Exercise.
He said while the nationwide exercise will make a significant impact, more sustained efforts will be required to completely restore affected communities and drainage systems.
The Deputy Minister made the remarks after participating in the first day of the two-day National General Cleaning Exercise on Friday, July 10.
“Clearly, it will not be enough. Two days is not enough. You can see the damage that has been caused. It is too huge for two days," he said while speaking to the media.
The Deputy Minister said government is already looking beyond the clean-up exercise to develop a long-term response to the aftermath of the floods.
He noted that the Post-Flood Coordinating Team, of which the Ministry of Defence is a member, will assess the situation and advise President John Dramani Mahama on the way forward.
“I believe that the Post-Flood Coordinating Team, which the ministry is a member, will sit to review and brief the President and see the way forward. But clearly, two days is not going to be enough," he stated
Mr Genfi, however, expressed optimism that the exercise would result in substantial progress in clearing waste from affected areas and improving sanitation, even though additional interventions would be required.