President Mahama reacts to viral Tema New Town fish video

President John Dramani Mahama has called on Ghanaians to adopt more responsible environmental practices following the circulation of a viral video by environmental advocacy group Buz Stop Boys, which highlighted poor sanitation conditions at Tema New Town.

The video, which has generated widespread public debate, showed fish being processed and dried for sale in an area surrounded by heaps of refuse, raising concerns about food safety, public health and environmental sanitation.

Speaking during the Men’s Ministry Day celebration at the Ringway Gospel Centre Assemblies of God Church on Sunday, August 2, President Mahama said the footage underscored the need for citizens to play a more active role in keeping their communities clean.

“Recently I was watching a video, Buz Stop Boys went to Tema New Town and if you see the rubbish there, meanwhile they were drying fish and that fish was supposed to come into the market. The worst one was, some nice woman on the beach doing her business. We must be responsible as citizens,” he said.

The President stressed that government efforts to improve sanitation and address flooding would only succeed if the public complemented those initiatives through responsible waste disposal practices.

He lamented that many people revert to indiscriminate dumping after floodwaters recede, warning that the habit continues to worsen the country's flooding challenges.

“Now the floods have gone and so we are like the vulture. Throwing sachet water, Styrofoam, food packaging and everything into the drain, we should remember that when the floods come they will come and meet those things there,” he stated.

President Mahama urged citizens to cultivate a stronger sense of environmental responsibility, saying every individual has a duty to protect their surroundings and appreciate the long-term consequences of their actions.

Referencing the Bible, he quoted James 2:17 to emphasise that faith must be reflected in people's conduct and commitment to their communities.

“James 2:17 tells us that faith without works is dead and so if our faith must go with works, then it must show in our character,” he added.

The President's remarks come amid renewed national attention on sanitation and waste management following recent flooding incidents and growing calls for stricter enforcement of environmental regulations.