By Amoako Kwame
Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has called on Ghanaians to adopt responsible sanitation practices, warning that indiscriminate waste disposal is exacerbating flooding and exposing communities to avoidable risks.
Speaking during a community clean-up exercise in the Nungua area as part of the ongoing National Clean-up Exercise, the Vice President said many of the environmental challenges confronting the country stem from human behavior rather than natural causes alone.
“We are here because something has gone wrong,” she told journalists. “A lot of it is something that you and I have caused. We know that nature will do its own thing, but sometimes we also contribute negatively to the outcomes.”
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang noted that the indiscriminate disposal of refuse into drains obstructs the natural flow of water, increasing the likelihood of flooding that often affects people who may not have contributed to the problem.
“There are times when even the person who suffers may not necessarily have been the one who caused the damage. When we throw garbage into our drains, maybe that is the reason why somebody’s house is finally flooded because we are blocking the water from taking its natural course,” she said.
She stressed that preventing floods requires collective responsibility, urging citizens to make proper waste disposal a daily habit rather than relying solely on government interventions after disasters occur.
She said that National Clean-up Exercise should serve as a reminder that environmental protection begins with individual action and a shared commitment to keeping communities clean.
“We all know the right things. We don’t need any sermon. We know. Let’s do the right things and protect each other and protect our country,” she urged.
Prof. Opoku-Agyemang also expressed appreciation to residents, volunteers and other participants who joined the clean-up exercise, describing their commitment as a strong demonstration of community spirit and civic responsibility.
“I want to thank you all for coming out to help because there’s a time we should all show love,” she said.
Her remarks come amid renewed national attention on sanitation and flood prevention following recent heavy rains that caused widespread flooding in parts of the country. Government has since intensified clean-up campaigns and public education efforts aimed at promoting proper waste management and reducing the blockage of drains, which authorities say remains one of the leading causes of urban flooding.