Accra: President John Dramani Mahama on Saturday assured Ghanaians that the city of Accra will bounce back after the June 29 flood disaster. The flood affected seven regions of Ghana, with the Greater Accra Region being the hardest hit, leading to the loss of 13 lives, with six persons still unaccounted for.
According to Ghana News Agency, the President set aside Friday, July 10, and Saturday, July 11, as national general cleaning days in the seven regions affected by the recent floods, to help reduce the risk of further flooding ahead of the expected heavy rains. Speaking on the two-day national cleanup exercise at Alajo in Accra, President Mahama emphasized Ghana's resilience and the country's ability to recover stronger than before.
He noted the positive turnout on the first day of the national cleanup exercise, with many people participating in cleaning their neighborhoods. The President urged those who had not yet joined to participate in the effort to rid the city of the filth left after the flood. He also highlighted the importance of properly disposing of garbage to prevent it from washing back into the gutters and causing blockages and further flooding.
President Mahama acknowledged the enormity of the cleanup task and stated that while the work could not be completed by the people alone in a day, the Army and other agencies would continue until the drains were all cleared. He pointed out that six waste transfer stations built over nine years ago had not been put into operation and directed Zoomlion Ghana Limited to open these stations in Accra. This would allow 'aboboyaa' (three-wheeled motorized tricycles) and others to dispose of garbage at these sites instead of traveling to Amasaman.
The President explained that the government would ensure that garbage at the transfer stations is moved by larger trucks to the site at Amasaman. He reiterated his directive for 'aboboyaas' involved in the national cleanup exercise to use the nearest waste transfer station for offloading. President Mahama expressed gratitude to Ghanaians for their participation in the two-day national cleanup exercise.