Shops to Shut as Government Declares Two-Day Mandatory National Clean-Up After Devastating Floods

The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has reaffirmed that Friday, July 10, and Saturday, July 11, 2026, have been designated as mandatory National Clean-Up Days, with the exercise scheduled to run from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on both days.

Speaking at a press conference at the ministry, the minister said the nationwide exercise follows a directive issued by President John Dramani Mahama on Monday, July 6, 2026, to intensify sanitation efforts, particularly in communities affected by the recent floods.

According to Ahmed Ibrahim, the clean-up exercise forms part of activities to commemorate National Sanitation Day while preventing possible disease outbreaks in the aftermath of the devastating floods.
He announced that all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), the security services, government agencies, private institutions, waste management organizations and other stakeholders are expected to fully participate in the exercise.

The minister further directed that all shops located within flood-affected areas must remain closed between 6:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday to allow residents and businesses to take part in the clean-up.
He urged all Ghanaians to actively participate in what he described as an important national exercise aimed at restoring cleanliness and protecting public health.

Ahmed Ibrahim also called on all Regional Coordinating Councils to ensure that the necessary logistics and equipment are deployed to designated locations in good time to facilitate a successful clean-up operation across the country.