Accra: Security agencies, alongside public and private institutions within the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, actively participated in a national clean-up exercise aimed at reducing flooding and addressing environmental concerns in the area.
According to Ghana News Agency, the two-day initiative, which took place on Friday, July 10, and Saturday, July 11, 2026, was part of the government's broader post-flooding mitigation strategy across seven regions. The campaign was organized under the theme "Our Actions, Our Future: Cleaning Ghana after the Floods," focusing on resolving sanitation issues and fostering cleaner, healthier communities.
Participants engaged in activities such as desilting drains in flood-prone areas, clearing overgrown vegetation, and sweeping key streets. Mr. Joseph Nelson, the Western Regional Minister, emphasized the government's commitment to environmental health through civic involvement, noting the importance of the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) enforcing sanitation by-laws to sustain the initiative's benefits.
Mr. Nelson further suggested the reintroduction of the 'Samansaman' system, empowering Environmental Health officers to conduct regular sanitary inspections and impose penalties on residents neglecting their surroundings.
Commodore Samuel Ayelazono, Flag Officer Commanding the Western Naval Command, highlighted the severe consequences of clogged drains and community filth, advocating for continuous engagement beyond the one-time exercise.
Alhaji Kamal Abubakar, the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), praised the participants, emphasizing the exercise's role in mitigating flood risks during heavy rains. He urged community members to contribute to cleaning efforts on the second day to ensure a safer environment.
In support of the initiative, the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly announced restrictions on vehicular movement and trading activities on Saturday, July 11, from 0600 to 1100 hours, facilitating the comprehensive metro-wide clean-up effort.