President Mahama joins national clean-up exercise across Accra metropolis

President John Dramani Mahama has called on Ghanaians to embrace a monthly national cleanup exercise, saying collective action is essential to improving sanitation and preventing recurring floods across the country.

The President made the call after participating in cleanup activities at Tse Ado and Alajo in the Greater Accra Region as part of the government’s nationwide sanitation campaign launched in the wake of recent floods.

Addressing residents and volunteers at Alajo, President Mahama said the two-day cleanup exercise was only the beginning of a sustained national effort.

“Two days are not enough to finish this work, but we are going to institute it so that at least one day every month, all of us should come out and clean our surroundings,” he said.

He urged citizens to revive the spirit of communal labour, stressing that maintaining clean communities is a shared responsibility.

The President also appealed to the public to stop dumping refuse into drains, noting that the desilting of the Alajo drain, part of the Odaw stream, uncovered large quantities of plastics, household waste, engine blocks, furniture and other materials that obstructed the free flow of water.

According to him, the government has already released GH¢150 million for flood mitigation, including the dredging of streams and drains, while the Ghana Armed Forces will continue desilting operations after the two-day exercise with additional heavy-duty equipment to be procured.

As part of his tour, President Mahama also visited Maamobi General Hospital and the 37 Military Hospital, where he donated relief items to support patients and health workers affected by the recent floods.

The relief supplies formed part of the government’s ongoing humanitarian response to communities impacted by the flooding, complementing efforts by the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and other state agencies.

The National Cleanup Exercise is part of a broader government strategy to improve sanitation, reduce flooding and encourage active citizen participation in keeping communities clean and safe.