President John Dramani Mahama has officially reintroduced the National Sanitation Day (NSD), describing it as a call to action for every Ghanaian to join in the fight against poor sanitation.
Speaking at the launch on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS) in Ogbojo-Madina, the President stated that the initiative is part of the government’s broader ‘Clean Up Ghana’ agenda to enhance public health, protect the environment, and promote socio-economic development.
“The National Sanitation Day is a call to action; an opportunity for each of us, regardless of our political affiliation, social standing, ethnicity, or religious beliefs, to unite in keeping our surroundings clean,” President Mahama stated.
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He emphasised that environmental sanitation is crucial to Ghana’s health, tourism, and economic development, warning that unsanitary conditions contribute to the spread of diseases, environmental degradation, and hinder our progress as people.
“It is, therefore, incumbent upon us to prioritise and address these issues with untiring resolve,” he said.
The reintroduced exercise will be observed on the first Saturday of every month across all regions. Citizens are expected to desilt gutters, weed public spaces, and engage in communal cleaning activities.
Outlining the goals of the initiative, President Mahama said the NSD would: Promote awareness and community ownership of sanitation; Establish a culture of routine cleaning; Improve hygiene to reduce disease outbreaks; Boost tourism and attract investment through a cleaner environment.
“I am fully convinced that the National Sanitation Day will in no small way contribute to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those that prioritise health, sustainable cities, clean water and sanitation,” he added.
President Mahama also highlighted opportunities for Ghana’s youth in the sanitation industry, urging them to develop innovative solutions, indicating that the sanitation sector provides a viable avenue for employment and economic empowerment.
He encouraged young Ghanaians to take an active interest in developing entrepreneurship innovations around the current challenges of waste management.
He revealed that the government is also rolling out programmes such as the Blue Water River Guards to protect water bodies from illegal mining, and the Tree for Life Restoration initiative to restore degraded forests and fight climate change.
“These interventions will not only protect our environment but also create sustainable jobs for the youth,” the President noted.
To ensure effective implementation, President Mahama announced a new performance framework for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), with sanitation indicators included in their assessments. He also disclosed plans for a ‘Cleanest City Award’ to motivate assemblies to maintain clean environments through healthy competition.
The President urged traditional authorities, religious leaders, the media, and civil society to mobilise their constituencies for the monthly clean-up exercise.
“We are not just cleaning our environment; we are securing the health of our people, protecting our environment and leaving a legacy for generations to come. 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. Together, we can build a nation that future generations will be proud of,” he added