AMA begins week-long clean-up to clear debris of June 29 floods

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has commenced a week-long metro-wide clean-up exercise to remove waste and debris left behind by the recent floods.

It has also announced Saturday, July 4, as the July edition of the National Sanitation Day exercise.

The exercise is being carried out across the Assembly’s three sub-metros—Ashiedu Keteke, Ablekuma South and Okaikoi South—and is aimed at evacuating accumulated waste, desilting drains, clearing choked waterways and improving environmental sanitation.

In a press release issued on Thursday, July 2, the Assembly said the initiative forms part of efforts to protect public health, reduce the risk of flooding and encourage residents to take collective responsibility for keeping the city clean.

“The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) wishes to inform the general public that it has commenced a week-long metro-wide clean-up exercise to evacuate accumulated waste, clear flood-related debris, desilt drains and improve sanitation across the metropolis following the recent floods,” the statement read in part.

The Assembly announced that all shops, stalls, table-top businesses, markets, hawking activities and other commercial operations within the metropolis are expected to suspend operations during the clean-up period on Saturday to allow traders, transport operators and residents to participate fully in the exercise.

It said activities throughout the week will include the evacuation of household and community waste, removal of flood debris, clearing of drains and waterways, sweeping of streets and cleaning of markets and other public spaces.

The AMA also disclosed that it has deployed additional trucks, compactors and sanitation equipment to support the exercise.

“The AMA wishes to stress that enforcement remains a key component of the exercise, especially during the July 4 National Sanitation Day clean-up. Persons who refuse to participate, obstruct sanitation officers, engage in trading during the clean-up period, dump refuse into drains, create illegal dumping sites or engage in any activity that undermines public sanitation will be arrested, fined, prosecuted before the sanitation court or sanctioned in accordance with the relevant bye-laws,” the statement cautioned.

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