Friday is not a public holiday despite the nationwide closure of markets and shops for a two-day national clean-up exercise ordered by President John Dramani Mahama following the recent floods that affected seven regions.

The Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, said all workers were expected to take part in the exercise, adding that security agencies had been directed to enforce the presidential order.

He warned that traders and shop owners who opened their businesses during the exercise would face consequences.

Why has the exercise been declared

The National General Cleaning Days follow floods that hit parts of the country, especially the Greater Accra Region, on June 29. The floods claimed at least 12 lives and affected about 38,800 people, leaving homes, businesses, and public facilities damaged.

The government says the exercise is intended to clear debris, desilt drains, and disinfect flood-affected markets and public places to reduce the risk of disease outbreaks and further flooding before the next heavy rains.

Presidential directive

President John Dramani Mahama declared July 10 and 11 as National General Cleaning Days and directed ministers, Members of Parliament, metropolitan, municipal, and district chief executives, heads of state institutions, and other public officials to leave their offices and lead clean-up activities in their respective communities.

The exercise is being coordinated by the Post-Flood Mitigation Committee under the theme "Our Actions, Our Future: Cleaning Ghana after the Floods."

Presidential Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu announced the exercise in a statement issued on July 6, 2026.

Regions covered

The exercise will take place in the Greater Accra, Volta, Central, Western, Western North, Ashanti, and Eastern regions, which were affected by the recent floods.

Market and shop closures

Speaking on the exercise, Mr Ibrahim said all markets and shops would remain closed throughout the two days to allow drains to be desilted, refuse cleared, and flood-affected markets disinfected.

"Everybody must be on board. All markets and shops must be closed. So if you go and open your shop, you will be on fire," he said.

Mr Ibrahim said the directive was backed by law and urged the public to comply.

"If a president speaks and you want to take it for granted, the law will deal with you. He is the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces," he said.

He explained that the temporary closure was intended to reduce the risk of disease after floodwaters entered many markets.

"The market, when the flood came, flooded most of the market. So if we don't close them and sweep and collect all the debris and disinfect most of the places, they will be buying and selling all those things for us to eat, and there will be an outbreak of diseases," he said.

Friday remains a working day

Speaking on Peace FM on July 8. Mr Kwakye Ofosu said Friday remained a working day. However, all workers at the various ministries, metropolitan, municipal, and District Assemblies were expected to spend the day taking part in the national clean-up exercise instead of their normal duties.

Mr Kwakye Ofosu urged employers to release their staff to participate in the exercise, describing the clean-up as a shared national responsibility.

He added that Saturday, July 11, had been set aside for all Ghanaian citizens to participate in the exercise.

He said Brigadier General Forster Okae-Yeboah and his team had already begun preparatory work ahead of the exercise.

Mr Kwakye Ofosu explained that Friday's activities were intended mainly for workers. At the same time, Saturday's exercise would allow more members of the public to participate in clean-up activities in their communities.