List Of Duties For Ghanaians As Mahama Declares July 10 and 11 General Cleaning Days After Flooding
- The president declared July 10 and 11 as National General Cleaning Days across the seven flood-affected regions of Ghana
- The June 29 floods killed about 13 people and destroyed more than 7,000 households, prompting the Post-Flood Mitigation Committee to organise the cleanup
- All government appointees, including ministers and MMDCEs, have been directed to lead cleanup activities personally in their communities
Don't miss out! Get your daily dose of sports news straight to your phone. Join YEN's Sports News channel on WhatsApp now!
President John Mahama has designated Friday, July 10, and Saturday, July 11, as National General Cleaning Days in the seven regions worst affected by the June 29 floods, which killed approximately 13 people and destroyed over 7,000 households.
The two-day exercise, coordinated by the Post-Flood Mitigation Committee, aims to reduce vulnerability to future flood disasters.
Source: Facebook
Government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu announced the exercise in a statement on Monday, July 6, describing it as a critical national intervention and urging all citizens to take part.
President Mahama has directed all government appointees — including Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, Chief Executive Officers of state institutions, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives, and heads of public institutions — to step out of their offices and personally lead cleanup activities in their respective communities.
Starr News reported that on Friday, July 10, security service personnel, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assembly staff, and waste management companies will begin operations.
Members of the public are expected to join on Saturday, July 11.
Key activities for the clean up will include:
- Desilting choked drains ahead of the rainy season
- Clearing sand from roads and highways
- Clearing weeds from roads and highways
- Clrearing debris from roads and highways
- Restoring cleanliness to public spaces
All Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies have been instructed to work alongside waste management companies to supply necessary logistics, including waste trucks, gloves and shovels.
They have also been directed to ensure the immediate evacuation of all collected refuse and silt to prevent waste from being washed back into drainage channels after the exercise.
Struggles with flooding in urban Ghana
The rainy season has been accompanied by some of the most intense flooding in recent years, partly attributed to poor spatial planning.
Most notably, at least 13 people were confirmed dead in Accra following heavy overnight rainfall on June 29 that triggered widespread flooding across Ghana's capital, with the Ghana National Fire Service warning that the death toll is likely to climb as recovery operations continue.
Areas that have seen flooding have been noted to be in areas close to waterways or even on the waterways themselves, like Otodjor in Ablekuma West.
There have also been concerns about the impact of poor sanitation on drainage in urban areas.
Source: UGC
The Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has also announced a GH¢200 reward for residents who provide photographic evidence of people dumping refuse into gutters or littering public spaces.
The initiative forms part of efforts by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly to strengthen the enforcement of sanitation laws and tackle one of the major causes of flooding in the capital.
City authorities frequently identify indiscriminate waste disposal and choked drains as major contributors to the recurring floods in Accra.
Samini blasts authorities over recent flooding
YEN.com.gh reported that Ghanaian reggae and dancehall artist Emmanuel Andrews Samini, popularly known as Samini, criticised the government over the recent spate of flooding.
He expressed his frustration over the situation, claiming planning has been going on every year since 1957; despite this, the country is still faced with flooding every time.
Samini further blasted the various assemblies responsible for authorising permits for residences to build on waterways.
Source: YEN.com.gh
