President Mahama Commends Ghanaians for National Clean-Up Exercise, Calls for Sustained Environmental Action

President John Dramani Mahama has expressed profound gratitude to citizens who participated in the recent national clean-up exercise, highlighting the collective effort as a vital step toward a cleaner and healthier Ghana. In a statement shared on social media, the President thanked those who turned out on Friday to clear their communities, describing the initiative as essential for the nation's overall well-being. This comes in the wake of devastating floods that underscored the urgent need for improved sanitation and waste management across the country.

The clean-up exercise, held over two days in flood-affected areas including Tse Addo and Alajo in Accra, saw active participation from the President, Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, security services, traditional leaders, and ordinary residents. Mahama personally joined in desilting drains and removing refuse, emphasizing hands-on leadership. He stressed that such communal actions reflect traditional Ghanaian values of environmental stewardship, which have been eroded by rapid urbanization and poor waste disposal habits.

Mahama Urges Continued Commitment to Cleanliness

In his message, President Mahama underscored the importance of persistence: "We must continue to do this to keep our environment clean." The exercise was not merely a one-off response to the recent floods but part of a broader #ResettingGhana agenda aimed at building resilience. He warned against dumping waste in drains, which exacerbates flooding, and called on Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to ensure proper disposal of collected debris to prevent re-blocking of waterways.

The President has proposed institutionalizing monthly national clean-up days to maintain momentum beyond the current two-day effort. This forward-looking initiative seeks to foster a culture of regular environmental maintenance, addressing long-standing sanitation challenges that contribute to public health risks and infrastructure damage during rainy seasons.

As Ghana works toward recovery and sustainable development, Mahama's call serves as a powerful reminder of shared responsibility. By uniting in these efforts, citizens are not only clearing physical spaces but also laying the foundation for a more resilient, prosperous nation. The hashtag #ResettingGhana encapsulates this vision of collective action and national renewal, encouraging every Ghanaian to play their part every day, not just during designated exercises.