Accra: Heads of public and private institutions have expressed their support for the Government's National Clean-Up Exercise and have advocated for it to evolve into a sustained national sanitation programme. This nationwide initiative was prompted by a directive from President John Dramani Mahama, urging public institutions, private organizations, and citizens to engage in clean-up activities on July 10 and 11, following recent flooding in various parts of the country.
According to Ghana News Agency, institutional leaders joined their staff in activities such as desilting drains, sweeping streets, and clearing refuse at their respective workplaces. Mr. Emmanuel Kwao, Director of International Cooperation at the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), stated that the Authority participated in the exercise in response to the President's directive and as part of its duty as a public institution. He highlighted that the Chief Executive of GEPA, Mr. Francis Kojo Kwarteng Arthur, led the staff to demonstrate the Authority's commitment to the initiative.
Mr. Kwao called on road contractors to ensure that construction debris is removed from drains before culverts are covered to prevent blockages. He also urged the public to dispose of waste responsibly. Mrs. Bernadette Hoffman, Deputy Director-General in charge of Finance and Administration at the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), emphasized that promoting public welfare also involves maintaining clean and healthy communities. She noted that institutions have embraced the exercise because sanitation directly impacts public health and well-being.
Mrs. Hoffman suggested organizing similar exercises at least quarterly to encourage sustained public participation. 'We clean our homes every day. The streets we use daily should receive the same attention,' she stated. Professor Lord Mensah, Head of the Local Government Service, stressed that environmental cleanliness should become a daily practice for Ghanaians rather than an occasional event. He pointed out that blocked drains are a major cause of flooding and urged the public to keep gutters free of refuse to enhance the flow of stormwater. Professor Mensah also encouraged staff to extend the clean-up campaign to their homes and communities.
The National Clean-Up Exercise involved a wide range of participants, including ministries, departments and agencies, metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies, security services, private companies, traders, and residents across the nation. President Mahama announced the exercise as a response to recent floods that severely impacted several communities, particularly in the Greater Accra Region. The initiative is part of broader efforts to improve environmental sanitation and mitigate flooding.