By Edward Dankwah
Accra, July 10, GNA – Ahead of the national clean –up-exercise on Friday, July 10 and Saturday 11 2026, Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, has announced sweeping directives, including the temporary closure of markets and commercial establishments in flood-affected areas.
The clean-up exercise was part of efforts of the government’s nationwide, in the aftermath of the June 29 flood that hit Accra, the capital city and other parts of the country that claimed lives and and caused massive destruction to properties and other valuable items.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra, Mr. Ibrahim said the measures were intended to ensure a coordinated, effective and successful nationwide exercise to restore environmental cleanliness in the seven regions affected by recent flooding.
He warned that individuals, institutions and commercial establishments that failed to comply with the directives would face sanctions under existing sanitation and local governance laws.
The Minister announced that all markets, shops and commercial establishments within the affected areas must remain closed from 0600 hours and 1300 hours. on both days to enable traders, employees and customers to fully participate in the exercise.
He directed all Regional Coordinating Councils to coordinate the implementation of the exercise within their respective regions, ensure the equitable distribution of logistics to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), liaise with environmental service providers and submit regional situation reports to the Ministry.
He said MMDCEs would personally supervise activities in their respective jurisdictions, including the cleaning of flood-prone communities, drains, waterways, markets, lorry stations, principal streets, medians, public spaces and other sanitation hotspots.
“The Assemblies have also been tasked to coordinate the activities of environmental service providers, volunteer organisations, youth groups, religious bodies, traditional authorities and community-based organisations while ensuring that all waste generated during the exercise is promptly evacuated to designated transfer stations and disposal facilities,” he added.
The Minister further directed owners and occupiers of residential, commercial, public and private premises to clean their compounds, desilt drains adjoining their properties, remove flood debris and accumulated waste, and maintain their surroundings in accordance with existing sanitation laws.
Transport unions and operators of commercial transport terminals have also been instructed to mobilise their members to clean lorry parks, terminals and adjoining public spaces as part of the national exercise.
Mr. Ibrahim said Environmental Health Officers and other authorised officers would monitor compliance, provide technical guidance where necessary and strictly enforce sanitation bye-laws throughout the exercise.
He said the Ministry had partnered with environmental service providers to ensure that strategic waste management facilities operate on a 24-hour basis throughout the exercise.
“Within the Greater Accra Region, facilities including the Achimota, Ashaiman, Pantang and Teshie Waste Transfer Stations, the Integrated Recycling and Compost Plant at Korle Bu, the Accra Compost and Recycling Plant, the Adipa Engineered Landfill and the Kpone Engineered Landfill will remain operational throughout the exercise,” he stressed.
The Minister explained that access to some disposal facilities would be regulated to improve traffic flow and operational efficiency, with specific MMDAs assigned to designated landfill and transfer stations.
He said waste delivered by motorised tricycles to designated transfer stations during the two-day exercise would be accepted free of charge, while Assemblies and environmental service providers have been encouraged to maximise night-time waste haulage to reduce congestion and improve operational efficiency.
Mr. Ibrahim said the Ministry had engaged the national security architecture and the Ghana Police Service to deploy personnel to strategic waste management facilities and operational locations to ensure public safety and protect workers and equipment.
He described the exercise as a national call to duty, urging every Ghanaian to contribute towards restoring environmental cleanliness and preventing future flooding.
The Minister noted that although the nationwide clean-up had been declared for July 10 and 11, mopping-up operations would continue beyond the two-day exercise until affected communities, drains, waterways and public spaces have been restored to acceptable sanitary conditions.
“Together, let us demonstrate our collective commitment to building cleaner, healthier, safer and more resilient communities,” he added.
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensah