Prez. Mahama relaunches National Sanitation Day, calls for collective effort towards a cleaner Ghana

President John Dramani Mahama has relaunched the National Sanitation Day initiative with a strong call on Ghanaians to embrace communal responsibility in maintaining clean environments.

Speaking at the relaunch of National Sanitation Day at the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS) in Madina on Saturday, the President stressed that sanitation remains fundamental to public health, education, tourism, and socio-economic development, yet unsanitary conditions continue to undermine national progress.

“It is incumbent upon us to prioritize and address these issues with untiring resolve, with a coordinated, sustained and collective effort to confront these challenges head-on to keep our cities and towns clean,” Mahama declared.

The National Sanitation Day, first introduced under his administration in 2014, will now be observed nationwide on the first Saturday of every month.

The programme forms part of government’s broader “Clean Up Ghana” agenda, which aims to instill environmental consciousness and foster a culture of routine cleaning.

Mahama outlined the objectives of the initiative, including promoting community ownership, reducing disease outbreaks through proper waste management, and enhancing Ghana’s appeal as a tourist and investment destination.

He further emphasized that the sanitation sector holds vast potential for youth entrepreneurship and job creation.

“Our young people can transform the waste management sector into a viable economic venture, creating employment and sustaining the environment,” he said.

The President also highlighted complementary government initiatives such as the Blue Water River Guards programme, designed to train 2,000 youth to protect river bodies from illegal mining, and the Tree for Life Restoration project, which engages communities in reforestation and climate resilience efforts.

To ensure accountability, Mahama announced that Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) will be assessed on sanitation indicators under a new performance framework.

Additionally, a “Cleanest City Award” will be instituted to reward assemblies that excel in maintaining clean environments.

The President appealed to the media, traditional authorities, and religious leaders to play leading roles in promoting the initiative and mobilizing citizens.

“We are not just cleaning our environment; we are securing the health of our people, protecting our environment and leaving a legacy for the generations to come,” he said.

He concluded by urging Ghanaians to rekindle the spirit of communal labour and make the National Sanitation Day a true reflection of national pride and responsibility.

“Together, we can build a nation where cleanliness and environmental responsibility are part of our everyday life,” Mahama affirmed.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith