President John Dramani Mahama has declared July 10 and 11, 2026, as National General Cleaning Days as part of efforts to address the devastating impact of the recent floods that affected several parts of the country.
Under the directive, ministers, Members of Parliament, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives, heads of state institutions and other public officials are expected to leave their offices and actively participate in clean-up exercises within their respective communities.
The exercise, being coordinated by the Post-Flood Mitigation Committee under the theme, “Our Actions, Our Future: Cleaning Ghana after the Floods,” will be undertaken in the Greater Accra, Volta, Central, Western, Western North, Ashanti and Eastern regions, all of which suffered varying degrees of flood damage.
To ensure maximum participation, authorities have directed that markets and shops remain closed throughout the two-day period to allow for the desilting of drains, removal of refuse and disinfection of flood-affected trading centres. The initiative forms part of broader efforts to restore sanitation, prevent disease outbreaks and mitigate future flooding risks.
First of all, The Chronicle commends President John Dramani Mahama for declaring the National General Cleaning Days. At a time when many communities are still counting their losses following the recent floods, the initiative represents a practical and timely response to a national emergency.
The floods left behind a trail of destruction across several regions. Homes, businesses and public infrastructure were damaged, while large quantities of refuse, mud and debris were deposited in drains, streets and marketplaces. In many communities, stagnant water and heaps of waste have created ideal conditions for the outbreak of diseases such as cholera, typhoid and malaria. The need for an immediate and coordinated clean-up effort therefore cannot be overemphasised.
What makes this intervention particularly commendable is the President’s decision to require ministers, Members of Parliament, MMDCEs and heads of public institutions to join citizens on the ground. Leadership is most effective when it is visible. We believe that by asking public officials to leave the comfort of their offices and work alongside residents, the President is sending a powerful message that environmental sanitation is a shared responsibility.
The decision to close markets and shops during the exercise may inconvenience some businesses temporarily, but the long-term benefits far outweigh the short-term sacrifices. Desilting drains, clearing refuse and disinfecting flood-affected markets are essential steps toward restoring public health and preventing another disaster. It is often the failure to undertake such preventive measures that leaves communities vulnerable whenever heavy rains occur.
Beyond the immediate clean-up, however, we must learn important lessons from the flooding. The nation cannot continue to treat sanitation as an occasional activity undertaken only after disasters strike. Illegal dumping of waste, construction on waterways and poor maintenance of drainage systems remain major contributors to recurring floods.
The clean-up exercise must, therefore, not end with sweeping streets and desilting drains. It should mark the beginning of a stricter national sanitation regime. The authorities must caution members of the public against indiscriminate littering, particularly the disgraceful practice of dumping refuse into gutters and drainage channels.
Such irresponsible behaviour has over the years contributed significantly to flooding in our towns and cities. Once the drains have been cleared at considerable cost to the taxpayer, they must not be allowed to become dumping grounds again.
The Chronicle strongly believes that education alone is no longer enough. There must be firm sanctions against individuals and businesses caught littering or disposing of waste in drains after this nationwide exercise. Environmental health officers and the local assemblies must strictly enforce the sanitation by-laws without fear or favour. Those who deliberately flout the rules should be prosecuted or fined accordingly. Without enforcement, the gains made during the clean-up exercise will quickly be reversed.
The Chronicle therefore urges all Ghanaians to embrace the exercise wholeheartedly. Citizens should not see it merely as a government programme, but as a civic duty. A cleaner environment translates into healthier communities, safer neighbourhoods and reduced flood risks.
If properly sustained, this initiative could mark the beginning of a renewed national commitment to environmental cleanliness. The recent floods covered many parts of the country in filth and exposed the consequences of neglecting sanitation. The clean-up exercise is, therefore, not only necessary but long overdue. The responsibility now rests with all Ghanaians to ensure that the effort achieves lasting results beyond these two days.
