The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo, has said that President John Dramani Mahama and Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang will participate in the two-day clean-up exercise scheduled for Friday, July 10, and Saturday, July 11.

She disclosed this during an interview on JoyNews' The Pulse, noting that President Mahama would join other stakeholders, including Members of Parliament, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), traditional leaders and residents.

“Yes, His Excellency the President and the Vice President will be taking part,” she said.

However, she declined to disclose the specific areas the President would visit, explaining that the decision was intended to assess the preparedness of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).

“We want to test some of the Assemblies by surprise. The President will visit and know what they have done so far,” she explained.

She added that she would personally supervise activities across several parts of Greater Accra, including the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Ayawaso, Okaikwei North, Ayawaso West, Tema and La Nkwantanang.

The national clean-up exercise, branded “Green Heart” in Greater Accra, is expected to focus on clearing drains, removing waste from public spaces and waterways, and improving environmental sanitation ahead of the anticipated heavy rains.

The initiative has, however, attracted criticism from some observers who argue that periodic clean-up exercises alone cannot address Accra’s long-standing flooding challenges.

Responding to those concerns, Madam Ocloo said the exercise was not a standalone intervention but part of a broader government sanitation agenda aimed at restoring environmental cleanliness and strengthening flood prevention efforts.

She noted that addressing the country's sanitation challenges would require sustained investment and shared responsibility among government, local authorities and residents.

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.

Targeted locations About 104 flood-prone and affected locations have been identified for the two-day national flood aftermath clean-up exercise scheduled for Friday, July 10 and Saturday, July 11, 2026.

The clean-up will cover several Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), including Ga South, Ga Central, Ga North, Ga East, Okaikwei North, Adenta, Madina, Shai Osudoku, Ayawaso West, Ayawaso North, Ayawaso Central, Ayawaso East, Tema West, Ledzokuku-Krowor (LEKMA), Ningo-Prampram and Ada East and West. In the Ga South Municipality, areas earmarked include Tetegu, STC, Mallam East, New Weija, New Gbawe, Mallam West, Weija Zero and Mallam Junction.

For Ga Central, the exercise will cover locations such as Awoshie, Kolegu, Israel, A-Land, Laffa, Deseree-Atieku Junction and Alhaji Curve-Shantang Market. Other key areas include Pokuase Footbridge, Pokuase Ayawaso Station, Ofankor Barrier, Tantra, Mile 7 and Spot M in Ga North, as well as Dome Market, Dome Railway, Abokobi Drain and Agbogba Drain in Ga East.

In parts of Accra, clean-up teams will work on major drainage points including Alajo drainage areas, Kokomlemle, Pig Farm, Ladidi, Mamobi, Accra Newtown, Timber Market, Nima Highway, Kanda stretch to Kawukudi, Dr Hilla Limann Drain and the 37 Hospital corridor.

The exercise will also extend to Tema West, where areas such as Texpo Market, Inner Harbour Road drains, Community 20-Lashibi drain, Tse Addo, Airport areas, T-Junction Elwak, Borla Junction, Agyeman Drain, Koliko Drain and LADMA main drains have been listed. Other coastal and peri-urban communities, including Teshie-Nungua Estate, Prampram Landing Beach, Mataheko, Sege, Sege Junction and Kassei Junction, are also expected to participate.