By Iddi Yire
Accra, July 10, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama and Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang on Friday participated in day one of the two-day national cleanup exercise.
The two-day national cleanup exercise was instituted by the President in the aftermath of the July 29 flood disaster, which severely hit the Greater Accra Region, leading to the loss of 13 lives with six others still missing.
The national cleanup exercise on the theme “Our Actions, Our Future: Cleaning Ghana after the Floods”, is aimed at desilting choked drains, clear accumulated waste, and disinfecting communities hit by recent heavy rains.
President Mahama joined residents of Tse Addo and Alajo within Accra for the national cleanup exercise, whereas Vice President Prof Opoku-Agyemang was at the Nungua Market to lend a helping to the national exercise.
The President speaking to Journalists at Alajo, thanked the Ghana Armed Forces, other security services, traditional leaders, the Ga Mantse Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II and all residents who had come out to participate in the important national exercise.
He said the recent floods had been devastating, but they must demonstrate that they were a resilient nation and that they could recover and emerge stronger.
“We must not adopt the attitude of the vulture that says it will repair its roof when the rains stop, only to realise when the rains stop that there is no longer a need to repair the roof. We must act now. That is why it is important that we clear our drains and waterways,” he said.
“We have just desilted this Alajo drain, which forms part of the Odaw stream, and we have identified two major challenges: the accumulation of silt and the presence of plastics and household waste.”
The President said in a drain like the one in Alajo, all manner of items, including discarded building materials such as concrete blocks, old furniture, dining tables and other household items.
“This situation requires us to change our attitudes and stop the reckless dumping of waste into our drains. Drains are not dumping grounds,” he said.
“When we have waste to dispose of, we must do so responsibly. We have skip containers placed at various locations across the city. Residents should make use of these facilities so that waste management companies can collect and dispose of the waste appropriately.”
President Mahama said two days would not be enough to complete the exercise, but they were going to institutionalise it so that at least one day every month, all of them would come out to clean their surroundings.
“This reflects the values we were taught traditionally. We were taught to keep our environment clean and protect our communities.” The President said.
“However, as a result of urbanisation and the anonymity that comes with city life, some people have abandoned these values and resorted to living in unhealthy environments.
“We must change this attitude and restore the discipline of keeping our surroundings clean.”
President Mahama said the Minister of Finance had already released GH¢150 million to support activities such as dredging of streams and other interventions to address flooding.
He said the Armed Forces would continue the exercise even after the two-day national cleanup programme ended.
He noted that they must also acquire specialised equipment, including backhoes, to help remove the silt from drains and load it into dump trucks or tipper trucks for proper disposal.
Adding that they would provide additional backhoes for the military so that the waste and silt removed from drains could be properly collected and transported to approved disposal sites.
“If we fail to do this, our efforts will be in vain because when the rains come, the same silt and garbage will be washed back into the drains,” the President said.
The President again especially commend the Ga Mantse Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, who had moved around the city supporting the national cleanup exercise, as well as all other traditional leaders and the people of Ghana who had participated.
“Together, we can keep our environment clean, reduce flooding and build a healthier and more resilient nation,” President Mahama said.
The President was accompanied by Mrs Joyce Bawa Mogtari, Presidential Advisor and Special Aide to the President, Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, the finance minister, Mr Ibrahim Ahmed, the Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs; and Mrs Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, the Greater Accra Regional Minister.
GNA
Edited by George-Ramsey Benamba