National General Cleaning Days: Ghana Mobilizes Nationwide Cleanup and Relief Efforts Following Devastating Floods

Ghana is set to undergo a massive two-day nationwide cleanup exercise on July 10 and 11, 2026, as part of a coordinated response to recent devastating floods. Initiated under the directive of President John Dramani Mahama, the National General Cleaning Days aim to restore public spaces and mitigate future flood risks by clearing choked drains and removing accumulated refuse. The exercise will target 104 locations across seven flood-affected regions, including a significant focus on the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area. Public institutions and ministries are scheduled to lead the efforts on the first day, while the second day will see a broad mobilization of residents, community groups, and local businesses. Authorities have announced that non-essential businesses in targeted areas will remain closed during the cleaning hours, typically from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

In Kumasi, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has issued a directive for the temporary closure of all commercial activities within the Central Business District on Saturday, July 11. To ensure the exercise's effectiveness, the movement of commercial vehicles will also be suspended during the designated hours. Local leaders emphasize that these measures are necessary to achieve a thorough sanitation overhaul in the city. Similarly, in the Greater Accra Region, the La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly (LaDMA) has already begun supporting recovery efforts. Municipal Chief Executive Alfredos Nii Anyetei and MP Rita Naa Odoley Sowah recently distributed essential relief items—including mattresses, food, and hygiene products—to residents displaced by the floods, underscoring the government’s commitment to immediate humanitarian relief alongside long-term sanitation goals.

In the Volta Region, community leaders and private citizens are also taking proactive steps. Lawyer and community advocate Lom Nuku Ahlijah donated 217 pieces of cleanup equipment, including wheelbarrows, shovels, and protective gear, to the Keta Municipal Assembly to bolster their operational capacity for the national exercise. Meanwhile, the Keta Lagoon floodgate has been opened to lower water levels and prevent further inundation of surrounding settlements. Togbi Tenge Dzokoto Gligui VII, Paramount Chief of the Amugo-Vego Traditional Area, has called for calm and cooperation from residents as engineers monitor the lagoon levels to ensure the process is managed safely.

Adding spiritual and moral weight to the initiative, the Assemblies of God, Ghana, has rallied its nationwide network of pastors and members to participate actively in the cleanup. General Secretary Rev. Dr. Ernest Birikorang described the initiative as a practical expression of faith and civic responsibility, urging for more decisive political action to address the root causes of flooding. However, participants across the country may need to contend with challenging weather conditions. The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) has forecasted a mixed weather pattern, including mist, light rain along the coast, and thunderstorms in the northern regions. While these conditions may complicate the cleanup, officials continue to urge the public to remain committed to the exercise to ensure a cleaner and safer environment for all Ghanaians.