The massive patronage of Ghanaians in last week’s National clean-up exercise following the recent flooding which submerged parts of the capital, destroyed property and recorded many deaths, is overwhelming and the enthusiasm needs to be sustained.

Majority of Ghanaians including President, John Dramani Mahama, Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, the Ga Mantse King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, the Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Agbodza, and other prominent personalities, officials from both public and private institutions, local authorities, market women and individuals took part in the exercise. It was indeed leadership by example.

Even school children were not left out but joined other Ghanaians to demonstrate their patriotism during the two-day exercise, initiated by the President, by cleaning their surroundings, desilting choked gutters and clearing rubbish all in a bid to make the city clean to allow free flow of water in the event of a downpour.

The exercise also drew a number of sanitation workers, security services, community leaders and volunteers who cleaned the streets, market places, drains, beaches, and other public spaces

The turnout for the clean-up exercise was massive and the zeal with which members of the public engaged in the exercise needs commendation.

However, while there were standby trucks available in some places to pick up the trash and silt that had been cleaned from the drains right away, in other places the situation was different since the silt was left on the shoulders of the drains.

One can only speculate as to what would have occurred if there had been a subsequent downpour. Naturally, the silt and trash would have been washed back into the drains and work done would have been zero.

As much as we value the participants’ efforts The Spectator is concerned that the practice of not promptly clearing waste from the shoulders of gutters will worsen the sanitary issue because of the intolerable stench that comes from the rubbish and silt.

As a result, this problem needs to be resolved immediately. Additionally, we want the clean-up effort to continue at least once a month in order to maintain cleanliness throughout the country, not just in Accra.

In order to uphold the adage that “cleanliness is next to godliness,” we implore all citizens, both young and old, to take responsibility for environmental cleanliness to ensure a healthy Ghana.

Bravo to everyone who participated in the just-ended two-day clean-up exercise and showed their patriotism. 

Dear Editor,

I wish to use this platform to commend Ghanaians for turning up massively to clean their respective communities as part of the national cleaning exercise declared by the president, John Dramani Mahama.

After cleaning my area, I decided to take a stroll across some of the neigbhouring communities.

I got so excited about the numbers that lined up the street and along gutters.

To my surprise, I met a few people who had moved to other areas to support. It was a good sign and reaction from people who have learnt serious lessons from the recent floods.

What we witnessed last Monday sends a clear message that if attitudes about sanitation don’t change, we may encounter more devastating disasters when it rains.

Truth is that the recent rain was quite heavy and continued for a longer time. However, the choked gutters and other drainage worsened the situation.

In one of the many videos that circulated on social media, one could sight a large heap of rubbish covering the surface of the flood water. We are the cause of this menace and Ghanaians must be seen to be showing concern.

With the sanitation issue being tackled gradually, I pray that government through the local assembly finds a way to collect the rubbish from the exercise, lest they wash into the drains again.

Again, the demolition exercises must continue. Building sited on waterways and resulting in flooding must be cleared. Government must try and restore all the wetlands taken over by developers.

Most of the time, the rich people that benefits from these activities do not suffer from the floods. It is the poor that suffers.

I hope that this exercise would be a monthly affair so that at least once in every month, citizens would come out like they did on Friday and Saturday to clean their environment.

Ayekoo to every Ghanaian that participated. Well done to all the Members of Parliament and Ministers of state that also took part. It was leadership by example.

Maxwell Boampong,

Accra Newtown