The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and Zoomlion Ghana Limited have launched a 12-week nationwide flood awareness campaign aimed at promoting responsible waste disposal and reducing the impact of flooding during the rainy season.
Dubbed “No Do No Do,” the initiative seeks to educate the public on the dangers of indiscriminate waste disposal, particularly the practice of dumping refuse into drains and watercourses, which authorities identify as a major cause of flooding across the country.
Speaking at the launch in Accra last Tuesday, the Greater Accra Regional Director of NADMO, Dennis Adjannor Nartey, said blocked drains and poorly maintained watercourses continue to contribute significantly to recurring floods that result in loss of life, destruction of property and disruption of livelihoods.
He stressed that flooding should not be viewed as an inevitable natural occurrence but as a challenge that can be prevented through collective action. “Flooding is not a natural disaster. It is a challenge we can solve when the government, the private sector and communities work together,” Mr Nartey stated.
He called for a coordinated national response involving government agencies, private-sector organisations and local communities to address the root causes of flooding.
Mr Nartey explained that the partnership between NADMO and Zoomlion would combine public education, community engagement, technological solutions and practical interventions to tackle flooding.
Key activities under the campaign include:
- Drain desilting exercises
- Community sensitisation programmes
- Public education campaigns
- Strengthening of early warning systems
- Clean-up activities in flood-prone areas
He urged citizens, institutions and community leaders to embrace the campaign’s message and adopt responsible waste disposal practices as part of their daily lives.
According to him, protecting drainage systems and preventing floods require a collective commitment from all sectors of society.
The General Manager for Governmental Affairs, Strategic Partnerships, Corporate Affairs, Media and Brands at Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Emma Adwoa Appiah Osei-Duah, described the campaign as a call for behavioural change and environmental responsibility.
She said the campaign’s message was simple but crucial. “The message is clear — do not dump, do not block. Let water flow.”
Ms Osei-Duah lamented that every rainy season, communities across Ghana suffer avoidable losses because drains and watercourses become clogged with waste.
She emphasised that sustainable flood prevention begins with individual responsibility and urged residents to play their part in keeping their surroundings clean.
According to Ms Osei-Duah, Zoomlion’s extensive experience in waste management, coupled with NADMO’s mandate for disaster preparedness and response, provides a strong platform for driving long-term behavioural change.
She explained that the nationwide campaign would feature intensive public education programmes, stakeholder engagements, community outreach activities and clean-up exercises in flood-prone communities.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to reduce the devastating effects of flooding, improve environmental sanitation and encourage citizens to take greater responsibility for protecting public infrastructure and their communities.
With the rainy season underway, organisers hope the campaign will inspire a nationwide commitment to keeping drains free of waste and preventing avoidable flood disasters.
