Ghana has begun a two-day National General Cleaning Exercise aimed at clearing flood debris, improving sanitation and reducing the risk of disease outbreaks following the devastating floods that affected several parts of the country.
The exercise, scheduled for Friday, July 10 and Saturday, July 11, 2026, was ordered by President John Dramani Mahama after heavy rains on June 29 caused widespread flooding, particularly in the Greater Accra Region.
Government has clarified that Friday, July 10 is not a public holiday, despite the nationwide closure of markets and shops. Instead, workers are expected to participate in the exercise as part of efforts to restore affected communities.
Government Orders Closure of Markets and Shops
The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, said all markets and shops must remain closed throughout the two-day exercise to allow authorities to clear refuse, desilt drains and disinfect flood-affected areas.
He warned traders and shop owners who fail to comply with the directive that they could face consequences.
According to the Minister, the closure is necessary because many markets were affected by floodwaters, creating possible health risks for consumers if proper cleaning and disinfection are not carried out.
“The market, when the flood came, it entered most of the market. So if we don’t close them and sweep and collect all the debris and disinfect most of the places, they will be buying and selling all those things for us to eat, and there will be an outbreak of diseases,” he said.
Why Government Declared the National Cleaning Days
The National General Cleaning Days were introduced following the floods that hit parts of Ghana, especially the Greater Accra Region, on June 29, 2026.
The disaster claimed at least 12 lives and affected about 38,800 people, leaving homes, businesses and public infrastructure damaged.
Government said the exercise is aimed at:
- Clearing flood debris from communities
- Desilting drains and waterways
- Disinfecting affected markets and public places
- Preventing outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and other water-related illnesses
- Preparing communities ahead of future heavy rainfall
The exercise is being coordinated by the Post-Flood Mitigation Committee under the theme:
“Our Actions, Our Future: Cleaning Ghana after the Floods.”
Seven Regions Covered
The National General Cleaning Exercise will take place in seven regions affected by the recent floods.
They include:
- Greater Accra Region
- Volta Region
- Central Region
- Western Region
- Western North Region
- Ashanti Region
- Eastern Region
President Mahama directed ministers, Members of Parliament, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), heads of state institutions and other public officials to leave their offices and lead clean-up activities in their respective communities.
Friday for Workers, Saturday for the General Public
Presidential Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu explained that Friday’s activities are mainly targeted at workers, particularly employees of ministries, government agencies and local assemblies.
He urged employers to release their staff to participate, describing the exercise as a shared national responsibility.
“We have to make our country neat and clean, but it can’t be done by just the government. That is why it’s important Ghanaians join in and help,” he said.
Mr. Kwakye Ofosu added that Saturday, July 11, 2026, has been set aside for all citizens to participate in cleaning activities within their communities.
He also disclosed that Brigadier General Forster Okae-Yeboah and his team had already begun preparations ahead of the exercise.
The government says the clean-up forms part of broader efforts to rebuild flood-affected communities, improve sanitation and strengthen Ghana’s preparedness against future disasters.
