Mahama calls for monthly national clean-up to tackle flooding

President John Dramani Mahama has called for a monthly nationwide clean-up exercise, saying sustained sanitation efforts are needed to reduce flooding and keep Ghana's cities clean.

Speaking after joining the government's national clean-up campaign on Friday, Mr Mahama said one-off exercises would not solve the country's longstanding sanitation challenges unless they were backed by the regular removal of waste and continued maintenance of drains.

"We have been doing this for many years," he said.

"After we finish cleaning, we collect the filth and leave it by the roadside. When it rains, the water washes it back into the drains."

The president urged officials coordinating the exercise to ensure that refuse collected from drains and public spaces was immediately transported to designated disposal sites instead of being left on the roadside.

He said providing enough waste containers and trucks to evacuate the debris was critical to the success of the campaign.

"If we are able to do this for the next year or two, these drains will have enough capacity to carry the water through," he said.

Mr Mahama explained that many drains had lost much of their capacity because they had become heavily silted, making communities more vulnerable during periods of heavy rainfall.

"The drains are half silted, so the amount of water they can carry has been reduced," he said.

The president praised the turnout for the nationwide exercise, saying he had toured several locations and was encouraged by the level of public participation.

"I want to congratulate all Ghanaians who have come out. The turnout has been good. I have gone around, and everything has been very good," he said.

He added that the work would continue after the two-day campaign, with the military and other state agencies expected to dredge major waterways to improve drainage.

Mr Mahama also proposed setting aside one day every month for communities across the country to clean their surroundings, arguing that regular participation by residents would help improve sanitation and reduce the risk of flooding.

"At least once a month, let's set aside one day and all of us come out and clean our cities," he said.

"With the help of the waste management companies, we'll be able to keep the city clean and organised."

The two-day national clean-up exercise was launched following the devastating floods of 29 June, which claimed lives, displaced residents and caused widespread damage across several parts of Ghana. It forms part of the government's broader strategy to improve sanitation, desilt drains and strengthen flood prevention measures ahead of the peak rainy season.