Mahama Proposes Monthly National Clean-Up to Tackle Sanitation and Flooding Nationwide
President John Dramani Mahama has proposed a monthly national clean-up exercise as part of sustained 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 consistent nationwide sanitation drive would help keep drainage systems clear and prevent future disasters.
He made the proposal after joining residents and stakeholders to desilt a heavily clogged drain in the community, where large amounts of plastic waste and accumulated silt were obstructing water flow.
President Mahama commended residents for their active participation, saying their involvement reflected a collective commitment to addressing Ghana’s long-standing sanitation challenges.
He cautioned against the practice of leaving removed silt along roadsides after clean-up exercises, noting that rainfall often washes the waste back into drains, worsening flooding.
The President therefore urged authorities and sanitation stakeholders to ensure that all collected waste is properly transported and disposed of at approved sites.
“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 disaster.
Organised under the auspices of the Post-Flood Mitigation Committee, the exercise is being implemented in two phases — with security services, MMDAs and waste management companies leading Friday’s operations, while members of the public are expected to participate fully on Saturday.
— CitiNewsRoom