Gov’t Directs Nationwide Flood Aftermath Clean-Up On July 10-11, Markets To Close From 6:00Am To 1:00Pm

Government has announced mandatory directives for a Two-Day National Flood Aftermath Clean-up Exercise scheduled for Friday, July 10 and Saturday, July 11, 2026, as part of efforts to address the devastation caused by floods on June 29.

The directive was issued by the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, at a press conference in Accra on Wednesday. He said the exercise was ordered by His Excellency the President to restore environmental sanitation, clear flood debris, desilt drains and waterways, and minimize the risk of future flooding.

“The floods resulted in the tragic loss of lives, destruction of property and widespread environmental degradation across several parts of the country,” Hon. Ibrahim stated. “This national exercise is part of Government’s coordinated efforts to restore public health conditions and build more resilient communities.”

Schedule and Participation

According to the Minister, the exercise will run from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on both days and will be rolled out in phases:

– Friday, July 10: Government institutions, private institutions, Security Services, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), and Waste Management Companies.
– Saturday, July 11: Communities, residents and Security Services, with support from MMDAs and Waste Management Companies.

The President is expected to personally participate in the exercise.

Key Mandatory Directives

Hon. Ibrahim outlined 9 key directives to ensure coordinated implementation nationwide:

1. Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs)
RCCs have been tasked to coordinate the exercise in their regions, liaise with Environmental Service Providers for logistics, ensure equitable distribution of equipment to MMDAs, and submit situation reports to the Ministry. In Greater Accra, logistics are already being dispatched to all MMDAs.

2. MMDAs
All Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives are to personally supervise the exercise. Assemblies must assign clean-up teams to flood-prone communities, drains, markets, lorry stations, principal streets and other sanitation hotspots. They are also to coordinate volunteers, youth groups, religious and traditional authorities, and ensure all waste is evacuated to designated sites without delay. Strict enforcement of sanitation bye-laws is also mandated.

3. Environmental Service Providers
Service providers are to deploy personnel and equipment to assigned locations and work under MMDA direction for timely waste evacuation and disposal.

4. Property Owners and Occupiers
All residential, commercial and public premises owners are directed to clean their compounds and frontages, desilt adjoining drains, and remove flood debris in line with existing sanitation laws.

5. Markets and Commercial Establishments
All markets, shops and commercial establishments within affected areas *shall remain closed between 6:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on both days* to allow proprietors, employees and customers to participate. Market Queens and Associations have been directed to ensure full compliance.

6. Transport Operators
Transport unions are to mobilize members to clean lorry parks, terminals and adjoining public spaces.

7. Enforcement
Environmental Health Officers are to monitor compliance, provide technical guidance, and strictly enforce sanitation bye-laws. “Appropriate sanctions shall be applied against individuals, institutions and commercial establishments that fail to comply,” the Minister warned.

8. Waste Management Facilities
To support 24-hour waste evacuation, the following facilities in Greater Accra will operate continuously: Achimota, Ashaiman, Pantang and Teshie Waste Transfer Stations; IRCP Korle Bu; ACARP; Adipa Engineered Landfill; and Kpone Engineered Landfill.

Access will be regulated: Kpone Landfill will receive waste from Tema Metro, Kpone Katamanso, Ashaiman and Tema West. Teshie Transfer Station will serve Ledzokuku, Krowor and La Dade-Kotopon. Waste delivered by motorized tricycles during the exercise will be received *free of charge*.

Assemblies are also encouraged to maximize night-time haulage to reduce congestion.

9. Security
The Ghana Police Service and National Security have been engaged to deploy personnel to waste facilities and operational locations to ensure safety and protect equipment.

A National Call to Duty

Hon. Ibrahim described the clean-up as “a national call to duty,” welcoming the participation of Parliament, development partners, traditional authorities, religious organizations, organized labour, CSOs, schools and the media.

“Every Ghanaian has a responsibility to contribute towards restoring environmental cleanliness and preventing future flooding,” he said.

He added that although the nationwide exercise is for two days, mopping-up operations will continue until affected communities, drains and public spaces are restored to acceptable sanitary conditions.

Failure to comply, he cautioned, will attract sanctions under applicable sanitation and local governance laws.

The announcement comes days after the Food and Beverage Association of Ghana (FABAG) sought clarity on the exercise, particularly on market closures and worker participation. Government’s latest directive now provides the framework businesses and residents must follow.