The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has directed that all markets, shops and commercial centres in the Greater Accra Region remain closed during the two-day National General Cleaning Exercise scheduled for July 10 and 11, warning that anyone who defies the directive will face legal consequences.

The nationwide exercise, ordered by President John Dramani Mahama in the aftermath of the devastating June 29 floods, is intended to restore sanitation in affected communities, clear drains and reduce the risk of disease outbreaks.

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

President Mahama has instructed 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 jurisdictions.

Addressing stakeholders and the media in Accra, Mr Ibrahim stressed that the exercise was a national assignment requiring the full participation of residents, traders and institutions.

He cautioned that the government would not tolerate attempts to undermine the President's directive.

"Everybody must be on board. All markets and shops must be closed. And this one, the CDS is on board. And the IGP is on board. And the Controller-General is on board. So if you go and open your shop, you will be on fire.

"If the 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.

Public health concerns

The Minister explained that the decision to suspend trading activities was informed by the health risks created by the recent flooding, which submerged several markets and commercial establishments across parts of the capital.

According to him, floodwaters carried debris, waste and contaminants into many trading areas, making thorough cleaning and disinfection essential before normal business resumes.

"The markets got flooded, and the water got into some of the shops. 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.

He noted that preventing outbreaks of waterborne and sanitation-related diseases remained a key objective of the nationwide exercise.

Security agencies to enforce directive

Mr Ibrahim disclosed that the clean-up exercise would receive strong backing from the country's security agencies, with personnel deployed to ensure compliance and maintain order throughout the two-day operation.

He said the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Controller-General of the Ghana Immigration Service had all committed their institutions to supporting the exercise.

The Minister further announced that senior government officials, including Members of Parliament, ministers of state and officials from the Presidency, would actively participate in the clean-up activities alongside residents in their respective communities.

The National General Cleaning Exercise forms part of the government's broader post-flood recovery programme following the torrential rains of June 29, which claimed lives, displaced thousands of residents and caused extensive damage to homes, businesses, roads and public infrastructure in several parts of the country.

Authorities say the initiative is aimed at clearing choked drains, removing refuse and debris from flood-prone areas and restoring sanitary conditions as government intensifies efforts to mitigate future flooding and protect public health.