The Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD) has announced the schedule for a two-day clean-up exercise to be held on Friday, July 10, and Saturday, July 11, following the June 29 floods that claimed lives, destroyed property and disrupted businesses.

In a statement released on Thursday, July 9, the Ministry said the exercise would run for about six hours each day, from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), public and private institutions, security services, educational institutions, waste management companies and the general public are expected to participate.

The exercise is intended to remove refuse, clear choked drains and restore public spaces in affected areas.

On Saturday, July 11, the focus will shift to communities and residents in the affected areas, with community groups, volunteers, security services, MMDAs, waste management companies and the general public expected to participate.

Speaking at a press conference, the Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Ahmed Ibrahim, indicated that all shops, businesses and corporate bodies within the affected regions are expected to shut down to enable the full participation of employers and workers on both days of the exercise.

Institutions providing essential and emergency services have been exempted from the clean-up exercise.

He also indicated that leaders at various transport stations are to ensure that operators participate in the exercise by cleaning their respective areas.

Ghana witnessed a series of flooding incidents on Monday, June 29, across parts of the Greater Accra Region and other regions following heavy rainfall.

The rains, which began late on Sunday, June 28, left commuters stranded, brought traffic to a standstill, claimed several lives and destroyed property.

While some victims managed to salvage a few belongings, many suffered devastating losses as floodwaters submerged their homes and properties.

The death toll from the flooding incidents, according to the Ghana National Fire Service Public Relations Department, stood at 34. In response, the Minister for Finance released GH¢300 million from the Contingency Fund for individuals affected by the disaster, following a directive from President John Dramani Mahama.

The directive formed part of the government's response to flooding in parts of Accra and other communities in the southern sector of the country after hours of unusually heavy rainfall.

In Ghana, the Contingency Fund is a constitutional fund established to meet urgent and unforeseen government expenses that cannot wait for the normal budget approval process. It is provided for under Article 177 of the 1992 Constitution.

In a statement issued on behalf of the President by the Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, it was indicated that the GH¢300 million would be split into two portions to provide relief and support flood mitigation measures.

“President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Minister for Finance to release GHS 300 million from the Contingency Fund to finance urgent flood relief and mitigation efforts.

GHS 150 million out of the amount will finance urgent relief efforts for flood-affected persons and communities in the southern sector of the country. Another GHS 150 million will be spent on flood mitigation measures aimed at reducing incidents of flooding,” parts of the statement read.

Due to the scale of the destruction and the impact of the floods, President Mahama also directed that additional support be provided by the Ghana Armed Forces and other security agencies for ongoing rescue operations.

“The President has also directed the deployment of personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces and Police to work with NADMO and other security services in the rescue and relief operations currently underway across the city,” the statement said.

It added that “the President earlier today undertook an aerial tour of the flooded areas to assess the full extent of the situation and announced a raft of steps being taken to safeguard residents and prevent further flooding.”