President Mahama Relaunches National Sanitation Day, Calls for Return to Traditional Cleanliness Values

President John Dramani Mahama has relaunched the National Sanitation Day campaign with a strong appeal to Ghanaians to revive the nation’s traditional values of cleanliness and collective responsibility.

Speaking at the launch on Saturday at the Institute of Local Government Studies in Accra, the President emphasized that sanitation is not just a policy issue but a moral, cultural, and developmental duty for both citizens and institutions.

Cleanliness as a Shared Value

President Mahama reminded Ghanaians that cleanliness is deeply rooted in both religious and cultural traditions.
“Every society has values, and in all societies, one of the most important is cleanliness. Whether you are Christian, Muslim, or practice African traditional religion, all uphold the saying that cleanliness is next to godliness. You cannot be godly if you live in filth,” he said.

He recalled his childhood in Damongo, where families began each morning by sweeping and tidying their surroundings, lamenting that this tradition has eroded in many communities today.

Learning from Global Examples

Comparing Ghana with nations like Japan and Singapore, the President highlighted how discipline and strict cultural values sustain cleanliness abroad.
“In Japan and Singapore, you will not see paper or plastic on the ground. In Singapore, even chewing gum is banned, and offenders are punished. That’s how seriously they take sanitation,” he noted.

Reviving Civic Education

To restore discipline and responsibility among young people, President Mahama announced plans to reintroduce civic education in schools.
“We are working with the Ministry of Education on a curriculum that teaches courtesy and responsible citizenship. If children learn this from an early stage, they will carry it into adulthood,” he explained.

Chiefs, Sanctions, and Local Accountability

The President proposed restoring some traditional authority to chiefs to enforce sanitation laws, including setting up sanitation courts in palaces in collaboration with district assemblies.
He also held Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) accountable, stressing that sanitation will now be their number one performance indicator.
“You cannot say you lack resources, because we directed that 80% of the District Assembly Common Fund goes directly to the assemblies,” he reminded them.

Awards and Incentives

Beyond punishment, the President announced incentives for clean districts.
“I have asked the minister to establish awards for the cleanest districts. Traditional authorities in those districts will also be recognized,” he said.

Youth Action and Volunteerism

Acknowledging the role of youth, President Mahama praised groups like the Bastok Boys for their dedication to sanitation campaigns.
“The spirit of volunteerism is fading, but I commend the Bastok Boys for their consistency. Ghana needs many more groups like them,” he urged.

Linking Sanitation to the 24-Hour Economy

The President tied sanitation to his government’s 24-hour economy initiative, proposing that waste collection should primarily take place at night.
“It doesn’t make sense for garbage trucks to compete with vehicles during rush hour. Refuse collection and cesspit emptying should be done at night when the roads are freer,” he said.

A Collective Responsibility

Closing his address, President Mahama stressed that the success of National Sanitation Day depends on every Ghanaian’s participation.
“Not all of us should wait for government. We must all be watchdogs of sanitation and the environment. Together, we can build cleaner communities, towns, and cities,” he concluded.