By Boakye Stephen, Kumasi, Ghana | Reporting for Ghanaian News Canada | July 11,2026
President John Dramani Mahama on Saturday participated in the second day of the government’s nationwide clean-up campaign, joining residents, sanitation personnel, local authorities and volunteers at Alajo in the Greater Accra Region.
The exercise forms part of ongoing efforts to restore sanitation in communities affected by recent floods, which left many drainage systems blocked with refuse and debris while causing extensive damage to homes, businesses and public infrastructure.
The campaign, which commenced on Friday morning, focuses on clearing accumulated waste, desilting drainage channels, cleaning public spaces and improving stormwater flow to minimise the risk of future flooding.
Addressing participants during the exercise, President Mahama said the immediate priority is to remove large volumes of refuse from affected communities and transport them to approved disposal sites for proper management.
He acknowledged that the quantity of waste generated across the capital is too significant to be cleared within a single operation, stressing that the exercise represents the beginning of a sustained sanitation drive rather than a one-time intervention.
The President also revealed that several waste management facilities acquired more than nine years ago had remained idle without being put into service. He said government is taking steps to operationalise those facilities to strengthen waste collection and improve sanitation management.
The nationwide campaign has drawn participation from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), security agencies, educational institutions, private waste management companies and members of the public.
Government has appealed to citizens across the country to actively support the initiative, emphasising that maintaining clean communities requires collective responsibility and continuous public participation.
Commentary | Boakye Stephen
The renewed national clean-up campaign reflects growing concern over Ghana’s recurring flooding and sanitation challenges. While large-scale clean-up exercises can help restore affected communities after disasters, environmental experts continue to argue that lasting improvements will depend on sustained waste management, stronger enforcement of sanitation regulations, improved drainage infrastructure and greater public commitment to environmental responsibility. Together, these measures are likely to have a more enduring impact than periodic clean-up campaigns alone.
