General News
Petition Seeks Disqualification of Adentan NPP Communications Aspirant Over Alleged Past Conviction
The Creative Arts Agency (CAA) has called on stakeholders in Ghana’s creative and cultural industries to actively participate in the National General Cleaning Exercise scheduled for Friday, July 10 and Saturday, July 11, 2026.
In a statement issued on Thursday, July 9, and signed by the Acting Executive Secretary, Gideon Aryeequaye, the agency expressed its full support for the government’s declaration of the two days as National General Cleaning Days under the auspices of the Post-Flood Mitigation Committee.
The nationwide exercise, themed “Our Actions, Our Future: Cleaning Ghana after the Floods,” is aimed at mobilising citizens to restore the cleanliness of communities, protect the environment and reduce the impact of recent flooding.
The CAA urged musicians, actors, filmmakers, visual artists, fashion designers, writers, publishers, artisans, dancers, photographers, content creators, event organisers, creative entrepreneurs and all practitioners across the creative value chain to take part in the initiative.
According to the agency, creatives have a unique responsibility to inspire positive behavioural change and promote responsible citizenship through their influence in society.
“By participating wholeheartedly in this exercise, creatives will demonstrate that the industry remains committed not only to artistic excellence but also to nation-building, environmental sustainability and the collective well-being of all Ghanaians,” the statement said.
The agency noted that the recent floods have underscored the need for sustained environmental responsibility, stressing that clean surroundings, properly maintained drainage systems and responsible waste disposal are essential to protecting lives and property.
It further encouraged creative associations, guilds, unions, institutions, production houses and businesses across all 16 regions to mobilise their members and collaborate with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), traditional authorities, security agencies and community organisations during the two-day exercise.
The Creative Arts Agency reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the government’s sanitation initiative and urged all creatives to respond with dedication, patriotism and a spirit of volunteerism to help restore and protect communities across the country
Friday, July 10, is not a public holiday, despite the nationwide closure of markets and shops in seven flood-affected regions as part of a two-day National General Cleaning Exercise ordered by President John Dramani Mahama.
The nationwide clean-up follows the devastating floods that struck several parts of the country, particularly the Greater Accra Region, on June 29, claiming at least 12 lives and affecting approximately 38,800 people. The floods caused widespread destruction to homes, businesses, roads, and other public infrastructure.
The government has launched the clean-up campaign to clear debris, desilt drains, and disinfect flood-affected markets and public spaces in an effort to prevent disease outbreaks and reduce the impact of future flooding.
President Directs Nationwide Participation
President Mahama declared July 10 and 11, 2026, as National General Cleaning Days and instructed ministers, Members of Parliament, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), heads of public institutions, and other government officials to leave their offices and lead clean-up activities within their respective communities.
The exercise is being coordinated by the Post-Flood Mitigation Committee under the theme: “Our Actions, Our Future: Cleaning Ghana after the Floods.”
The announcement was made by Presidential Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu in a statement issued on July 6, 2026.
Markets and Shops to Remain Closed
The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, said all markets and shops in the affected regions must remain closed throughout the two-day exercise to allow authorities to desilt drains, remove waste, and disinfect market areas.
He stressed that everyone is expected to participate and warned that traders or business owners who defy the directive by opening their shops would face sanctions.
“Everybody must be on board. All markets and shops must be closed. So if you go and open your shop, you will be on fire,” he cautioned.
Mr Ibrahim explained that the directive is legally backed and urged Ghanaians not to disregard the President’s instruction.
“If a president speaks and you want to take it for granted, the law will deal with you. He is the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces,” he said.
According to him, the temporary closure is necessary because many markets were inundated during the floods, making proper sanitation essential before commercial activities resume.
“The floodwaters entered many markets. If we don’t clean, remove the debris and disinfect these places, people will continue buying and selling contaminated goods, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks,” he explained.
Friday Remains a Normal Working Day
Although markets and shops will be closed, Friday remains an official working day.
Speaking on Peace FM on July 8, Presidential Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu clarified that public sector workers are expected to dedicate the day to the clean-up exercise instead of their regular office duties.
He appealed to employers across both the public and private sectors to release their staff to participate, describing the initiative as a collective national responsibility.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu further announced that Saturday, July 11, has been designated for the general public to join the nationwide exercise in their various communities.
He added that Brigadier General Forster Okae-Yeboah and his team have already begun preparations to ensure the successful implementation of the exercise.
The National General Cleaning Exercise will be carried out across the Greater Accra, Volta, Central, Western, Western North, Ashanti, and Eastern regions, all of which were affected by the recent floods.
source:graphic.com.gh
The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has directed that Parliament will not sit on Friday, July 10, 2026, to allow Members of Parliament from flood-affected areas to return to their constituencies and lead ongoing cleanup and recovery efforts.
Addressing the House, Speaker Bagbin said the decision followed unanimous agreement among Members after deliberations on the devastating impact of the recent floods in parts of the country.
“Among the matters we considered was whether it would be appropriate for the House not to sit on Friday, 10 July 2026, to enable Honourable Members from the affected regions to return to their constituencies and provide direct leadership in the cleanup exercise alongside their people,” he stated.
He added that the proposal received unanimous support from the House.
“It was unanimous, yes. And so I direct that this House will not sit on Friday, 10 July 2026,” Speaker Bagbin announced.
The decision is expected to give lawmakers the opportunity to support affected communities, assess the extent of the damage firsthand, and coordinate relief and cleanup efforts with local authorities and residents.
Creative Arts Agency Mourns the Passing of Renowned Ghanaian Visual Artist PADIKI
Creative Arts Agency urges Ghanaian creatives to join nationwide clean-up exercise
Influencer Kwatemaa Andoh Says She Won’t Marry a Poor Man
-
General News1 week agoPresident Mahama Orders Immediate Release of GH¢300 Million for Flood Relief, Mitigation
-
General News1 week agoInterior Ministry Urges Public to Stay Indoors as Heavy Rains Trigger Flooding
-
Entertainment1 week agoItz Tiffany: I Won’t Lower My Standards for Any Man
-
General News1 week agoMahama Says Ghana’s Economy Ranks Among Africa’s Top Performers Amid Strong Recovery
-
General News1 week agoGRIDCo, ECG Shut Down Mallam, Achimota Substations Over Flooding
-
General News1 week ago
Mahama Urges Ghanaians to Thank God Despite Deadly Floods
-
General News1 week agoMahama Orders Districts to Identify Flood Channel Obstructions
-
General News1 week agoGNFS Rescues 479 People in Three Days as Floods, Fires and Building Collapse Hit Accra and Tema