Accra, Ghana – July 10, 2026: Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has called on Ghanaians to adopt responsible sanitation practices, warning that indiscriminate waste disposal continues to worsen flooding across the country and places communities at unnecessary risk.
Speaking during a community clean-up exercise at Nungua as part of the ongoing National Clean-up Exercise, the Vice President emphasized that while heavy rainfall is a natural occurrence, human activities significantly contribute to the severity of flooding.
“We are here because something has gone wrong,” she said. “Nature will always take its course, but many of the challenges we face today are the result of our own actions.”
Professor Opoku-Agyemang noted that the dumping of refuse into gutters and drainage systems obstructs the free flow of water, increasing the likelihood of floods that often affect innocent residents.
She explained that blocked drains can cause devastating consequences for households and communities, stressing that those who suffer the effects of flooding are not always those responsible for poor sanitation practices.
The Vice President urged citizens to view proper waste disposal as a civic responsibility and a daily habit rather than relying solely on government interventions after disasters occur. According to her, preventing floods requires collective action from every Ghanaian.
“The National Clean-up Exercise should remind us that protecting our environment begins with individual responsibility. We all know the right things to do. Let us do them to protect one another and safeguard our country,” she stated.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang also commended residents, volunteers, and stakeholders who participated in the clean-up exercise, describing their involvement as a demonstration of patriotism, community spirit, and shared responsibility.
“I want to thank everyone who came out to support this exercise. There comes a time when we must all show love for our communities and our nation,” she said.
Her remarks come amid heightened national concern over sanitation and flood prevention following recent heavy rains that triggered flooding in several parts of Ghana. In response, government has intensified nationwide clean-up campaigns and public education initiatives aimed at promoting proper waste management and preventing the blockage of drains, which remains one of the leading causes of urban flooding.
