President John Dramani Mahama has relaunched the National Sanitation Day (NSD), a nationwide community clean-up campaign, as part of his administration’s “Clean Up Ghana” agenda, with a firm call on citizens to take collective responsibility in improving environmental health standards.
Speaking at the launch held at the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS) in Accra, the President stressed that environmental sanitation is central to public health, socio-economic development, and Ghana’s global image. He said the initiative is designed to foster civic responsibility, curb disease outbreaks, and enhance the beauty of cities and towns.
“Environmental sanitation is fundamental to public health, the health of the citizenry, education, and tourism and is one of the key drivers of sustainable socio-economic development of every country. Yet, despite our progress in environmental sanitation service delivery, challenges persist.
“It is, therefore, 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.
“It is in recognition of this need that my government, through the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, is re-introducing the National Sanitation Day as part of the “Clean Up Ghana” agenda. This initiative aims to foster a culture of environmental responsibility, improve public health and enhance the aesthetic beauty of our cities and communities,” Mahama stated.
The National Sanitation Day, first introduced under his previous administration between 2014 and 2016, will now be observed on the first Saturday of every month. The President urged citizens across political, ethnic, and religious divides to unite in desilting gutters, weeding public spaces, and cleaning their communities.
“The success of the previous National Sanitation Day which took place between 2014 and 2016 demonstrated the immense potential of citizen-led efforts, as communities actively desilted gutters, cleared waste, and engaged in proper environmental sanitation practices.
“The re-introduced National Sanitation Day will be observed nationwide on the first Saturday of every month,” he stated.
The reintroduction, he said, is expected to drive a cultural shift where sanitation becomes an ingrained national habit rather than a one-off exercise.
“I urge all Ghanaians to come out in their numbers to help clean our surroundings, desilt the gutters and weed unkempt public spaces. Let us make this a nationwide habit that reflects our identity as environmentally conscious people,” he said.
The President outlined five core goals of the renewed NSD:
- Promoting community ownership and responsibility for sanitation.
Sustaining a culture of routine cleaning and maintenance.
Enhancing the beauty and livability of towns and cities.
Reducing disease transmission through effective waste management.
Supporting tourism and investment by presenting Ghana as a clean and attractive destination.
"I wish to emphasize the critical role of stakeholders in making the National Sanitation Day a success, by actively participating.” Mahama said. “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.
The President used the platform to connect environmental health with his government’s broader “Resetting Ghana” agenda, emphasising sanitation as an engine for job creation. He encouraged young entrepreneurs to develop innovative waste management businesses that could transform the sector into a viable economic venture.
“The sanitation sector is not a burden; it is an opportunity,” he said, adding that with the right investment and innovation, Ghana can create jobs while solving its waste problem.
The President also highlighted ongoing projects under his administration:
Blue Water River Guards: training 2,000 youth to protect river bodies from illegal mining, with an initial 400 already engaged.
Tree for Life Restoration: an afforestation programme planting cocoa, palm, timber, and rubber to restore degraded lands and support ecological balance.
“These are practical steps towards building a cleaner, safer, and more resilient Ghana,” he stated.
In a bid to enforce accountability, Mahama announced that Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) will now be assessed against stringent sanitation indicators. Assemblies that excel will be recognised under a new “Cleanest City Award”, creating competition and rewarding good practice.
Mahama extended his appeal to all sectors—traditional leaders, religious institutions, schools, businesses, NGOs, and especially the media to mobilise Ghanaians.
“To our cherished media friends, your power to inform, educate and influence public behaviour cannot be overstated. We therefore entreat you to use your various platforms to raise awareness, sensitize the public and promote responsible environmental practices. Your collaboration is key to ensuring that every Ghanaian understands the significance of this day for their active participation,” he added.
Traditional and religious leaders, he added, must also use their platforms to inspire citizens to embrace the culture of communal labour and environmental stewardship.
“Our Revered Traditional and Religious Leaders, as custodians and embodiments of our culture and religious beliefs, I appeal to you to use your influence to encourage your followers to embrace and support this laudable initiative. Your voice can inspire change, foster a sense of ownership, and strengthen community bonds for a cleaner and healthier Ghana,”
The reintroduction of National Sanitation Day, Mahama argued, is not a mere event but a movement to redefine Ghana’s civic identity.
“The success of the National Sanitation Day rests on the collective efforts of all of us. Let us rekindle the spirit of communal labour, take responsibility for our environment, and ensure that our surroundings reflect the pride we hold so dearly. I entreat all Ghanaians to take ownership of this initiative.
“Let us make the National Sanitation Day a true celebration of our commitment to a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable Ghana. Together, we can build a nation that future generations will be proud of; a nation where cleanliness and environmental responsibility will be part of our everyday life,” he said.
Whether citizens, assemblies, and institutions will rise to the call and sustain the momentum beyond the fanfare of the launch remains the defining test for this ambitious clean-up drive.
