President John Dramani Mahama on Friday joined residents of Tse Addo in Accra for a community clean-up exercise, taking part in efforts to desilt a heavily clogged drain as part of renewed measures to improve sanitation and reduce flooding.

The exercise forms part of the government’s broader campaign to tackle poor drainage, indiscriminate waste disposal and environmental sanitation challenges that have contributed to recurring floods in parts of the capital.

Dressed in protective gear and armed with a shovel, President Mahama worked alongside sanitation workers, local authorities, security personnel and community volunteers to remove silt, plastic waste and other debris that had obstructed the flow of water through the drain.

The clean-up attracted scores of residents, who joined the President in clearing refuse from streets and drainage channels. Officials from the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) also participated in the exercise.

The initiative comes amid intensified government efforts to address flooding in Accra following recent heavy rains that affected several communities, displaced residents and caused damage to property.

The government has since announced a nationwide campaign to restore and maintain drainage systems, while directing Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to enforce sanitation regulations and remove structures obstructing waterways.

Speaking during the exercise, President Mahama stressed that maintaining clean drains and a healthy environment is a shared responsibility that requires sustained public participation.

He urged residents to refrain from dumping refuse into drains and watercourses, warning that such practices significantly increase the risk of flooding during the rainy season.

According to the President, the government will continue investing in drainage infrastructure while strengthening enforcement of environmental sanitation laws to ensure drains remain free of waste.

Residents welcomed the President’s participation, describing it as a demonstration of leadership by example and expressing hope that the exercise would encourage greater public commitment to environmental cleanliness.

Many also called for regular desilting of drains, stricter enforcement against indiscriminate dumping of waste and sustained public education on sanitation practices.

The clean-up exercise in Tse Addo is expected to be followed by similar activities in other flood-prone communities across the Greater Accra Region as authorities intensify efforts to improve drainage systems and build resilience against flooding.

The government has repeatedly urged the public to support these efforts by keeping their surroundings clean, reporting blocked drains and complying with sanitation regulations aimed at protecting lives and property.