Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has joined the National General Cleaning Exercise, calling on Ghanaians to adopt responsible sanitation practices.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang warned that indiscriminate waste disposal is a contributing factor to flooding, which puts communities at risk.
The nationwide clean-up exercise follows recent floods that affected parts of the country.
The exercise, which began at 6:00 am on July 10, 2026, is expected to continue until 1:00 pm and resume on July 11, 2026.
The vice president, joining the clean-up exercise in the Nungua area, spoke to the media, saying, “We are here because something has gone wrong,” she told journalists.
“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 also highlighted that dumping refuse into drains prevents water from flowing naturally, which increases the risk of flooding that often affects people who played no part in causing the problem.
“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.
According to Prof Opoku-Agyemang, the clean-up must serve as a reminder that preventing floods begins with individual responsibility and proper sanitation practices.
“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.
She further thanked residents and volunteers who participated in the exercise, “I want to thank you all for coming out to help because there’s a time we should all show love”.
Earlier, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo, disclosed that President John Mahama and Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang will join other stakeholders in the national clean-up exercise.
Speaking on JoyNews’ The Pulse, Linda Ocloo stated, “Yes, His Excellency the President and the Vice President will be taking part”.
She further disclosed that the specific locations where the President and Vice President will participate will not be disclosed ahead of time, as part of efforts to assess the preparedness of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies.
“We want to test some of the Assemblies by surprise. The President will visit and know what they have done so far,” she explained
He further disclosed that all key stakeholders have been mobilised for the exercise, with local authorities, chiefs, MPs and community members expected to participate in the clean-up campaign.
Also, Linda Ocloo further revealed that 500 police officers from the Accra Regional Police Command have been deployed across strategic locations in the Greater Accra Region to provide security.
She added, “And so all of them will be placed at some vantage places to make sure that tomorrow’s exercise is successful. And they’re also going to be part of the clean-up.”
“Not only going to make sure that they monitor the security at the end of the month, but they are also part of the training.”
“In fact, the best news is that even doctors have also pledged, and nurses have also pledged, I mean, to deploy some of their staff to also make sure that they participate. And so, as you said, more than twice, it’s going to be massive.”
“The IGP has also made some interventions to make sure that all the police from the various districts are positioned at the confrontation to make sure that, more or less, the time to be suspected. So everything is on call.”
“The five hundred is from the regional command.”
@ghnow_ Unprecedented filt levels at the Korle Lagoon #GHNow #fyp ♬ sonido original – Béto Quintanilla
