President Mahama Launches National Sanitation Drive to Mitigate Flood Impact as Corporate Ghana Joins Mass Clean-Up Exercise

In a decisive response to the devastating floods of June 29, which claimed 13 lives in Greater Accra, President John Dramani Mahama has spearheaded a nationwide "National Flood Aftermath Clean-Up Exercise." Under the theme "Our Actions, Our Future: Cleaning Ghana after the Floods," the initiative saw the mobilization of government agencies, security forces, and the private sector to desilt choked drains and manage waste across the country. President Mahama, who inspected the Alajo Drains during the exercise, emphasized the critical need for responsible waste disposal and announced the institution of a monthly national clean-up day to sustain environmental hygiene.

Major corporate and state institutions played a pivotal role in the exercise by providing both human and material resources. Zoomlion Ghana Limited deployed over 500 personnel and heavy equipment to support the presidential drive. Similarly, the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF), led by CEO Justina Nelson, and the Bui Power Authority (BPA), under CEO Ing. Kow Eduakwa Sam, participated actively in areas such as La Dade-Kotopon and the Airport Residential Area. Other entities like Karpowership Ghana and CalBank PLC donated essential sanitation equipment—including wheelbarrows, refuse bins, and gloves—to various municipal assemblies, though the exercise also saw some scrutiny, with MP Theresa Lardi Awuni criticizing a CalBank branch for reported non-participation by its staff.

The clean-up effort resonated deeply across several regions, with residents in Ho, Cape Coast, and Tema responding with notable zeal. In Tema, the exercise highlighted the urgent need for structural improvements, as traders at the Community One Market called for the redevelopment of aging infrastructure to prevent future flooding. This grassroots participation was complemented by specialized groups, including students and faith-based organizations, illustrating a broad civic commitment to restoring sanitation standards in public spaces and improving drainage systems following the recent disaster.

Amidst the immediate relief efforts, the Marshallan Relief and Development Services (MAREDES) and other stakeholders have called for long-term solutions to Ghana’s recurring flood problems. MAREDES emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change and urban planning through the enforcement of land-use regulations and the establishment of a National Urban Disaster Recovery Fund. As the government and corporate partners pledge to make these clean-up activities regular, the focus remains on shifting public attitudes toward waste management and securing the necessary infrastructure to protect lives and property from future environmental disasters.