The Ghana Armed Forces is leading a nationwide post-flood recovery and cleanup exercise following the June 29 flooding that claimed several lives and destroyed properties.
Briefing the media at the Jubilee House in Accra, Brigadier General Forster Okae-Yeboah, Director General of Joint Operations of the Ghana Armed Forces said Government has set up Early Warning Committee, Sanitation and Health Committee, Relief and Donations Committee and Emergency Communications Committee to ensure effective and coordinated response to the disaster.
He warned that structures illegally sited within waterways and drainage reservations may be removed as part of the operation.
“As part of the operation, the Ghana Armed Forces will deploy personnel, engineers, specialised equipment to clear major drains, streams, rivers and other critical waterways. In accordance with applicable laws and directives of the appropriate civil authorities, structures illegally erected within waterways or that pose an immediate danger to public safety and flood mitigation efforts may be removed where necessary,” Brigadier Okae-Yeboah stressed.
Here is the full text of his speech delivered on July 3.
Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations,
Ministers of State,
Heads of all Intervention Agencies,
Members of the various Emergency Sub-Committees,
The media, ladies and gentlemen.
The Government of Ghana wishes to inform the general public that, following the rains of Sunday 28th and Monday 29th June 2026, which caused devastating floods in several communities within the Greater Accra Region and parts of the Volta and Central regions, a comprehensive post-flood recovery and mitigation programme has been activated to restore normalcy, safeguard public health and strengthen national resilience against future flooding.
In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, His Excellency the President of the Republic conducted an area reconnaissance of the affected areas to obtain a first-hand assessment of the extent of the devastation and to direct government response based on the realities on the ground.
Following this assessment, the President directed the activation of a national post-flood mitigation taskforce to coordinate all recovery, relief and mitigation interventions.
To ensure an effective and coordinated response, specialised sub-committees have been established, namely the Anti-Flood Taskforce, which is now the Post-Flood Mitigation Committee, Early Warning Committee, Sanitation and Health Committee, Relief and Donations Committee and Emergency Communications Committee.
As an immediate demonstration of the Government’s commitment to the welfare of affected communities, His Excellency the President has committed 350 million Ghana cedis to support emergency relief, recovery and flood mitigation interventions.
Government has further directed that the Ghana Armed Forces lead the operational component of the mitigation effort. This will be done in collaboration with the relevant agencies under the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing, the National Disaster Management Organisation, the Metropolitan Municipal and District Assemblies, the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana National Fire Service, the Ghana Health Service, the Environmental Protection Agencies, private sector organisations and other relevant stakeholders.
The nationwide cleanup and recovery exercise will focus on restoring public safety, improving sanitation and preventing secondary disasters such as outbreaks of cholera, typhoid and other waterborne diseases.
Particular attention will be given to the removal of refuse, silt, fallen trees, abandoned vehicles, collapsed structures and other debris obstructing roads, bridges, drains and waterways.
As part of the operation, the Ghana Armed Forces will deploy personnel, engineers, specialised equipment to clear major drains, streams, rivers and other critical waterways. In accordance with applicable laws and directives of the appropriate civil authorities, structures illegally erected within waterways or that pose an immediate danger to public safety and flood mitigation efforts may be removed where necessary.
The Metropolitan Municipal and District Assemblies have also been directed to organise and lead cleanup exercises within their respective jurisdictions in support of the national operation. Their efforts will complement those of the Ghana Armed Forces and other security agencies to ensure that all affected communities receive the required attention.
The government is particularly grateful to the numerous private sector organisations that have responded positively to the national appeal by voluntarily providing heavy equipment, technical expertise and logistics to support the exercise.
The government commends this demonstration of patriotism and corporate social responsibility and encourages other organisations to support this important national endeavour. In addition, equipment acquired under the District Road Improvement Program is being mobilised to augment ongoing operations across affected areas.
The public is advised that portions of routes may experience temporary traffic diversions or restricted access while the cleanup and engineering works are underway. Residents are therefore urged to fully cooperate with personnel on the ground and to comply with all traffic management and safety instructions issued by the security agencies.
Owners and occupiers of structures located within waterways, drainage reservations and other environmentally sensitive areas are further urged to cooperate with relevant authorities to facilitate the execution of this critical national assignment.
The government remains committed to ensuring that all actions undertaken during the exercises are carried out professionally, humanely and in accordance with Ghana’s laws. Members of the public are also encouraged to support the operation by keeping drains free from refuse and other obstructions, avoiding indiscriminate damping of waste, reporting blocked drains, damaged bridges and dangerous structures to the appropriate authorities, observing public health advisories issued by the Ghana Health Services and cooperating fully with officials conducting the exercise.
The government assures the public that this operation forms part of a broader national flood resilience strategy that is under implementation. The strategy aims to improve drainage infrastructure, strengthen early warning systems, enforce planned environmental regulations and enhance emergency preparedness nationwide.
The success of this exercise depends on the collective efforts of governments, local authorities, the security services the private sector, civil society organizations and every citizen.
It is through this shared effort that we will restore our communities protect lives and build a cleaner, safer and more resilient Ghana.
On behalf of the various subcommittees that have started rigorous work, I want to assure His Excellency the President through the Chief of Staff who is leading this mitigation effort, that we shall not leave any stone unturned.
Under the guidance of the Emergency Communications Committee, we shall provide regular, sustained public briefings and full communications update as we launch into action.
Thank you very much.
