Flood Cleanup Exercise: Parliament suspends Friday sitting

Parliament has suspended its sitting scheduled for Friday, July 10, 2026, to enable Members of Parliament to join a nationwide cleanup exercise in flood-affected regions across the country.

The decision was announced by Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, following consultations with parliamentary leadership amid ongoing efforts to address the aftermath of recent floods that have affected several regions across the country.

The suspension comes after the government declared July 10 and 11 as National General Cleaning Days in seven regions impacted by flooding. The exercise is expected to focus on desilting drains, clearing waterways, and removing waste materials to prevent further flooding and improve sanitation conditions.

Addressing the House, Speaker Bagbin said Parliament considered its role in supporting the national response to the flooding situation and agreed that lawmakers should be present in their constituencies to lead the cleanup efforts.

“Among the matters we considered was whether it would be appropriate for the House not to sit on Friday, 10th July 2026, to enable Honourable Members from the affected regions to return to their constituencies and provide direct leadership in the cleanup exercise alongside their people,” he stated. “Definitely, it was a unanimous yes.”

He noted that MPs are expected to work closely with residents, local authorities, and community leaders to ensure the success of the exercise.

“The presence of Members of Parliament in their constituencies will strengthen community participation and demonstrate Parliament’s commitment to supporting national efforts aimed at preventing future disasters,” he added.

The cleanup campaign forms part of broader measures being undertaken by government following recent floods that caused loss of lives, destruction of property, and displacement of residents in several parts of the country. Authorities have stressed the need for collective action to keep drainage systems free of waste and reduce the impact of heavy rains.

Parliament is expected to communicate further arrangements regarding its business after the cleanup exercise, while lawmakers join thousands of citizens across the affected regions in what is anticipated to be one of the largest coordinated sanitation campaigns in recent years.