Markets, shops to close during national clean-up exercise

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Shamima Muslim has outlined the requirements for the two-day national clean-up exercise announced by President John Dramani Mahama following the sanitation challenges exposed by the devastating June 29 floods.

Speaking on Eyewitness News on Thursday, July 9, Shamima said the exercise forms part of broader government efforts to build a more resilient response to future disasters after the floods caused widespread destruction, including loss of lives, damage to property, blocked drains and infrastructure challenges.

She noted that the intensity of the rainfall, which recorded about 140 millimetres within four hours, exposed longstanding issues relating to drainage systems, waste management and development along waterways.

According to her, the national clean-up is part of a wider plan involving the desilting of drains, clearing waterways and addressing structural challenges that worsen the impact of flooding.

“There are things we have control over, and there are things we don’t have control over. We may not have control over national disasters like rainfalls or earthquakes. We certainly have control over policy execution, implementation and public education to change behaviours and attitudes towards the environment,” she said.

She added that while agencies such as NADMO continue to provide relief support to displaced persons, the cleanup exercise is aimed at promoting collective responsibility among citizens and institutions.

Shamima said the theme, “Our Actions, Our Future: Cleaning Ghana after the floods,” is not intended to blame any group but to emphasise the shared responsibility of government, local authorities and citizens in protecting the environment.

Clarifying concerns over business activities during the exercise, she said markets, shops and stalls are expected to suspend operations during the cleanup period to allow sanitation activities to take place.

“Tomorrow is not a holiday. We are all coming to work tomorrow and we are all going to engage in the cleanup activity exercises at our workplace,” she said.

She explained that market activities, particularly in affected areas, will be halted between 6:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon to allow traders and residents to participate in cleaning their surroundings, after which businesses may resume depending on progress made by local authorities.

Shamima urged residents, institutions and businesses to participate fully in the exercise, stressing that improper waste disposal and building on waterways contribute to the country’s vulnerability to flooding.