Kwasi Opare, the acting New Juaben Municipal Coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), has advised the general public to desist from throwing refuse into drains to ensure free flow of water when it rains.

He said such negative practice when avoided would go a long way to prevent and mitigate the effects of floods in the country.

Mr Opare was speaking to newsmen after a clean-up exercise organized by the organization in collaboration with the Ghana National Fire Service, Zoomlion, a waste management company, and the Environmental Health Services.

The clean-up exercise was funded by the Municipal Assembly as part of the “pre-flooding campaign” launched in the region. It started at about 0630 hours through the principal streets of Koforidua.

Mr Opare said the exercise, which would be a continuous affair, also carried out education on sanitation.

He blamed flooding in the Municipality to people building on water ways which prevent free flow of water anytime it rains.

Mr Opare advised builders to always secure permit to avoid building at unauthorized places.

He said places such as Asokore, Zongo, Oyoko and Sempoa all in the municipality were likely to be affected during flooding.