The Assembly Member for Pig Farm Electoral Area in the Ablekuma North Municipality, Mohammed Awal, popularly known as Guza, has appealed for legislation to make the national cleanup exercise a compulsory monthly activity.

Speaking during the president’s two-day national flood aftermath cleanup, Mr Awal said the directive by President John Dramani Mahama has brought relief to communities like Ebony in Pig Farm, which were severely hit by the June 29 floods.

“I think it's a very good directive that we've also appreciated. Because even the impact that we are feeling, the people are even happy that all those debris that was assured to their homes are being cleared,” he said.

He lamented the poor sanitation attitude in the area, saying it contributed to the devastation during the floods.

“Even this morning I was having an encounter with them, asking them: So all this debris or this filth that we are seeing, is it that it's lying in their rooms? And they were all making fun out of me,” he narrated, noting that if there is rubbish indoors, it could most likely end up in gutters and contribute to flooding.

He urged residents to take responsibility and use the free waste evacuation services being provided during the exercise.

“For the boiler, it's for free. It is only maybe the services that you pay for. So I'm quite surprised, looking at the filth and the debris around Pig Farm. It's not easy,” he said.

Mr Awal said the two-day exercise should not be a one-off event.

“It should be made law for it to become compulsory every year. Every month [there should be] one,” he urged.

He emphasised that making participation mandatory would help prevent future hardships and foster a collective spirit of care and resilience.

Awal noted that his office, together with the assembly, is ready to support residents who need help clearing waste, especially those who cannot afford to pay for private services.

The two-day national cleanup, which runs from Friday, July 10, to Saturday, July 11, 2026, is part of government’s coordinated efforts to restore sanitation, clear debris, desilt drains and minimize the risk of future flooding following the June 29 rains.