The Ga Traditional Council has directed the closure of all shops, markets and commercial establishments within Accra from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Friday, July 10, and Saturday, July 11, in support of the nationwide General Cleaning Exercise.

In a statement issued on Thursday, July 9, the directive, issued by the Ga Mantse and President of the Ga Traditional Council, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, forms part of efforts to promote environmental sanitation and support the government's campaign to restore cleanliness across the capital.

The Greater Accra Regional Co-ordinating Council, the Mayor of Accra, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, and the Ga Traditional Council called on residents and businesses to embrace the exercise as a shared civic responsibility.

The Council said the initiative was aimed at fostering unity among the people of the Ga State while protecting the environment and preserving the dignity of the capital.

"As custodians of this land, the Ga Mantse and the entire membership of the Ga Traditional Council, in partnership with government, invoke the spirit of unity and civic duty among the people of the Ga State," the statement said.

According to the Council, the temporary suspension of commercial activities will enable residents, traders and businesses to fully participate in the clean-up exercise and contribute to efforts to rid the city of refuse and restore blocked drains.

The closure applies to all shops, markets and commercial entities within Accra between 7:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon on both days.

However, emergency services, essential medical facilities and authorised sanitation personnel have been exempted from the directive to ensure the uninterrupted provision of critical services.

The Ga Traditional Council stressed that compliance with the directive is mandatory and urged all residents to demonstrate discipline and commitment to the national sanitation campaign.

It noted that the success of the clean-up exercise depends on the collective efforts of citizens, businesses, traditional authorities and government institutions working together to improve environmental conditions across the city.

The Council further highlighted the importance of keeping streets, public spaces and drainage systems free from waste, describing a clean environment as essential to public health, economic activity and sustainable urban development.

Calling on residents to support the exercise wholeheartedly, the statement said, "When we cease our trading to cleanse our land, we secure our future and uphold the dignity of our people. A clean Accra is the strength of the Ga State and the pride of our nation."

The nationwide General Cleaning Exercise, scheduled for Friday, July 10, and Saturday, July 11, forms part of the government's renewed drive to improve sanitation and reduce flooding by mobilising citizens to clean their communities and clear choked drains.