Daniel Jeddman: Ghana’s Flood Crisis Demands a National Sanitation Revolution

Publisher and media executive Daniel Jeddman has called on Ghanaians to take sanitation more seriously, arguing that recurring floods across the country are largely the result of poor waste disposal practices, blocked drainage systems, and weak enforcement of environmental laws rather than political failures. Speaking after the latest flooding incidents, he stressed that Ghana, like every tropical nation, should expect heavy rainfall during certain months of the year and therefore must prepare adequately.

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According to Jeddman, sanitation is one of the defining characteristics of developed nations. He noted that countries such as Germany maintain strict environmental standards through effective drainage systems, readily available public waste bins, and firm penalties against littering. He argued that similar discipline and consistent enforcement are needed in Ghana if the country is to reduce the devastating effects of annual floods.

“This is not something government alone should force people to do,” he said. “Citizens must also accept responsibility for how they treat their environment. We cannot continue throwing plastic waste, sachet water wrappers, fruit peels and other refuse into gutters and later blame nature when floods occur.”

Jeddman explained that rainfall is naturally expected to flow through properly maintained drainage systems into rivers and eventually the sea. However, when drains become blocked with refuse, water overflows onto roads and communities, leading to widespread flooding, destruction of property and avoidable loss of lives.

He also called for stronger enforcement of sanitation regulations, including stricter penalties for indiscriminate dumping of waste. Beyond enforcement, he proposed greater investment in environmental sanitation teams and youth employment programmes dedicated to keeping streets, gutters and public spaces clean throughout the year.

Rejecting attempts to politicise the flooding debate, Jeddman maintained that environmental responsibility belongs to every Ghanaian regardless of political affiliation. “This is not about politics. This is about how we treat our environment. The environment eventually reflects back the way we treat it,” he said.

“As the well-known saying goes, ‘Cleanliness is next to godliness.'”

While this popular saying is often associated with biblical values, it is not an actual Bible verse. A related biblical teaching is found in 2 Corinthians 7:1: “Let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”

Jeddman further encouraged citizens to embrace cleanliness not only for public health but also as a reflection of personal responsibility, community pride and moral discipline, insisting that a cleaner Ghana would significantly reduce the impact of seasonal flooding while improving the nation’s image and quality of life.

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