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President Mahama warns against dumping refuse in drains, highlights flood mitigation efforts
via GhanaWeb2 min read
President John Dramani Mahama has cautioned citizens against dumping refuse into gutters, emphasizing that drainage systems are not waste disposal facilities and contribute to worsening flooding across the country. Speaking after a national clean-up exercise in Alajo on July 10, 2026, President Mahama noted that drains are often clogged with heavy silt, plastics, household waste, old furniture, and discarded engine blocks. He urged the public to use designated skip trucks for waste disposal. The President announced plans to institutionalize monthly clean-up initiatives to promote continuous environmental sanitation, acknowledging that a two-day exercise is insufficient. He also disclosed that the Minister of Finance has released GH垄150 million for flood mitigation efforts, including the dredging of drains. President Mahama praised the participation of citizens, traditional leaders, and security agencies in the clean-up, adding that the military would continue to support sanitation efforts beyond the initial two-day exercise, deploying specialized equipment to remove cleared silt.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
Must ReadThe Ministry of Health has reported that nearly one-third of Ghanaian adults are now overweight or obese, according to the 2023 Ghana STEPS Report. Awinibuno A.N. Ignatius, Director and Chief Programme Officer for Allied Health at the Ministry of Health, disclosed this during the GreenStay Initiative in Accra on July 10, 2026. Ghana is experiencing a dual burden of malnutrition, with undernutrition alongside a rise in obesity-related diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers. Poor dietary habits contribute to the issue, as fewer than 5% of adults consume the recommended five daily servings of fruits and vegetables. The Ministry is collaborating with the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Education to implement measures, including the 2022 Non-Communicable Diseases Policy, which promotes healthier diets and increased physical activity. They are also working with the Ministry of Education to introduce nutrition education and wellness programs in schools. The Ministry urged the private sector, including hotels, restaurants, food manufacturers, and retailers, to reduce salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats in products, offer healthier menu options, and invest in workplace wellness initiatives. Reducing obesity rates is expected to improve productivity, lower healthcare costs, and support Ghana's development agenda.
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