President John Dramani Mahama has revealed that the government is considering setting aside one day every month for a nationwide clean-up exercise, describing the current two-day initiative as insufficient to tackle the country’s sanitation challenges.
The President made the announcement on Friday after joining senior government officials, security personnel, sanitation workers, traditional authorities, and residents to participate in and inspect the commencement of the two-day National General Clean-Up Exercise at Alajo in Accra.
Speaking to the media after taking part in the exercise, President Mahama stressed that improving sanitation requires sustained action rather than occasional campaigns.
“Government is considering instituting a day every month for a general clean-up exercise, as these two days are not enough,” the President said.
The clean-up exercise forms part of government’s renewed commitment to promoting environmental cleanliness, reducing flooding caused by choked drains, and encouraging citizens to take responsibility for keeping their communities clean.
At Alajo, participants cleared refuse from streets, desilted gutters, weeded overgrown areas, and collected plastic waste and other debris from public spaces. The exercise also focused on opening blocked drainage systems ahead of the rainy season to help reduce the risk of flooding.
President Mahama used the opportunity to inspect ongoing sanitation efforts in the community and interacted with residents and sanitation workers. He commended the large turnout and urged Ghanaians to make cleanliness a daily habit rather than relying solely on government-led campaigns.
Several top government officials joined the President during the exercise, demonstrating a united commitment to improving sanitation across the country. The nationwide initiative also saw ministries, metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs), security agencies, market associations, youth groups, schools, civil society organisations, and volunteers mobilise in their respective communities to clean public spaces.
The National General Clean-Up Exercise, declared for July 10 and 11, 2026, forms part of the government’s broader strategy to restore environmental cleanliness, improve public health, and build a culture of collective responsibility.
Should the proposed monthly clean-up day be approved, it is expected to institutionalise community participation in sanitation management and reinforce Ghana’s efforts to maintain cleaner and healthier towns and cities throughout the year.
Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of The Accra Daily Mail, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.
