ACCRA — President John Dramani Mahama has issued a stern admonition to Ghanaians against the indiscriminate disposal of waste into drainage systems, declaring emphatically that drains are not “garbage instruments.”
The President delivered the caution on Friday, July 10, 2026, during an inspection of the Alajo drains as part of a high-profile, two-day National Clean-Up Exercise scheduled to run through Saturday, July 11.
Accompanied by Greater Accra Regional Minister Linda Ocloo and Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group, the President witnessed firsthand the staggering volume of waste choking the capital’s waterways. The Jospong Group’s flagship subsidiary, Zoomlion Ghana Limited, deployed extensive logistical support for the operation, signaling a formidable alliance between the government and the private sector in confronting the nation’s sanitation crisis.
A Wake-Up Call for Attitudinal Change
President Mahama characterized the devastating floods of June 29 as a “wake-up call” for citizens to transform their conduct and embrace greater environmental accountability.
He expressed deep dismay at the troubling debris retrieved from the Alajo drain a critical tributary of the Odaw stream which included silt, plastics, household refuse, engine blocks, obsolete furniture, and even dining tables.
“One, we must change our attitudes and stop the reckless dumping of things into the drain. The drains are not garbage instruments. If you want to dispose of something, you know how to dispose of it,” the President said.
The President reminded residents of the availability of skip trucks strategically positioned across the metropolis for proper waste disposal. To resurrect traditional Ghanaian values of communal cleanliness, he announced plans to institutionalize a monthly national clean-up day, lamenting that urban anonymity had eroded those values, causing many to “live in filth.”
$150 Million Authorized for Dredging
To bolster long-term flood mitigation, President Mahama disclosed that the Minister of Finance has authorized the release of $150 million for the dredging of streams and associated works.
He added that the military would sustain drainage-clearing operations beyond the two-day campaign and called for the urgent procurement of specialized equipment to excavate and convey silt from drains.
“We must show that we are a resilient nation and we can bounce back even better,” Mahama insisted, urging citizens to reject the attitude of “the vulture who waits for rain to stop before repairing his roof only to neglect it when the sun shines.”
Private Sector Calls for Enforcement
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the national operation, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong advocated for the rigorous enforcement of sanitation bye-laws. He stressed that hefty investments in waste management infrastructure must be complemented by strict compliance and effective oversight.
Dr. Agyepong observed that illegal dumping, particularly by unauthorized commercial waste operators and tricycle collectors, continues to sabotage national sanitation efforts. He urged municipal authorities to ensure waste is strictly conveyed to designated transfer stations and to intensify monitoring at collection points.
While commending President Mahama for the clean-up initiative describing it as a pivotal step toward addressing Ghana’s sanitation challenges Dr. Agyepong emphasized that enduring solutions demand concerted, sustained collaboration among the government, the private sector, and citizens.
‘We Are Blocking the Water’: VP Decries Human Negligence
Meanwhile, Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has issued a parallel clarion call for collective responsibility, cautioning that the country’s recurring flood crises are being compounded less by nature alone and more by human negligence.
Addressing residents during a community clean-up exercise in Nungua on Thursday, the Vice President underscored that environmental degradation is largely self-inflicted.
“We are here because something has gone wrong,” she told journalists, arguing that indiscriminate waste disposal has become a direct catalyst for disaster by choking drainage systems and leaving vulnerable communities exposed.
“A lot of it is something that you and I have caused. We know that nature will do its own thing, but sometimes we also contribute negatively to the outcomes,” Prof. Opoku-Agyemang stated.
The Vice President drew attention to the moral dimension of the crisis, noting that the consequences of environmental indiscipline often fall hardest on those least responsible.
“There are times when even the person who suffers may not necessarily have been the one who caused the damage. When we throw garbage into our drains, maybe that is the reason why somebody’s house is finally flooded because we are blocking the water from taking its natural course,” she said.
Framing the clean-up drive as a timely reminder that flood mitigation begins at the individual level, she urged citizens to embrace disciplined sanitation practices and civic accountability.
“We all know the right things. We don’t need any sermon. We know. Let’s do the right things and protect each other and protect our country,” she said, before thanking the dozens of volunteers present. “I want to thank you all for coming out to help because there’s a time we should all show love.”
The National Clean-up Exercise continues across the country with heavy support from government agencies and private partners, as authorities scramble to curb flooding ahead of the peak rainy season.
