A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Oti Region, Philip Y. Sambo, has called for a collective national effort to address indiscipline, poor sanitation practices, and illegal development activities contributing to flooding in parts of the country.
Mr. Sambo criticised the habit of indiscriminate disposal of refuse by some Ghanaians, as well as the construction of buildings on waterways, which he said continues to worsen the impact of floods.
His comments come after President John Dramani Mahama declared Friday, July 10, and Saturday, July 11, 2026, as National General Cleaning Days in the seven regions affected by the recent floods, as part of measures to mitigate the impact of the disaster and prevent future flooding.
The two-day exercise, announced by the Presidency on Monday, July 6, will be undertaken under the auspices of the Post-Flood Mitigation Committee and is themed: “Our Actions, Our Future: Cleaning Ghana after the Floods.”
The exercise seeks to mobilise citizens to clean their communities, protect the environment, and safeguard lives ahead of the expected heavy rains.
President Mahama has also directed government appointees, including Ministers of State, Chief Executive Officers, Members of Parliament, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), and heads of public institutions, to actively participate by leading cleanup activities in their respective areas.
Speaking on Plan B FM’s Nkosuo Nsem programme with Kofi Sekyi, Philip Sambo said Ghana had failed to learn enough lessons from past disasters, including the 2015 flood disaster, and urged citizens to take environmental protection seriously.
He stressed that flooding does not discriminate based on political affiliation and called on Ghanaians to unite and adopt responsible practices to reduce its impact.
According to him, poor urban planning, encroachment on waterways, and the failure of some authorities to enforce regulations have contributed significantly to the country’s flooding challenges.
Mr. Sambo urged government officials, including District Chief Executives (DCEs), Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), and mayors, to ensure proper waste management systems are in place, including providing adequate dustbins and ensuring timely disposal of refuse.
He also called for education on the dangers of environmental abuse and illegal construction, warning that sanitation efforts alone would not solve the flooding problem if underlying causes are ignored.
He further appealed to commercial tricycle operators, popularly known as “Abooboyaa” riders, to dispose of collected waste at approved locations rather than dumping refuse indiscriminately.
Mr. Sambo also urged authorities and citizens to take climate change seriously by protecting the environment, avoiding activities such as uncontrolled tree cutting and improper development, and prioritising sustainable practices.
By: Bernard Mensah |Planbfmonline.com
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