The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has announced that the August edition of the National Sanitation Day clean-up exercise will take place on Saturday, August 1, from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, with all trading and commercial activities expected to cease during the exercise. The Assembly says the initiative forms part of its sustained efforts to improve environmental sanitation, safeguard public health, reduce flooding and promote a culture of collective responsibility among residents in maintaining a cleaner capital.
In a press statement issued on Monday, the AMA called on traders, shop owners, transport operators, market leaders, corporate institutions, organisations and residents to actively participate in the city-wide clean-up exercise. As part of measures to ensure the success of the exercise, the Assembly directed that all shops, market stalls, tabletop businesses, hawking and other trading activities remain closed throughout the six-hour period. According to the AMA, the temporary suspension of commercial activities will allow residents and businesses to focus on cleaning their surroundings and participating in sanitation activities across the metropolis.
“Accordingly, all shops, stalls, tabletop businesses, hawking and trading activities are expected to remain closed during the period, as activities for the day will focus on the desilting of drains, clearing of choked gutters and waterways, sweeping of public spaces and evacuation of refuse.” The Assembly noted that the exercise would be carried out simultaneously across all sub-metropolitan districts, electoral areas, markets, lorry parks, communities, business districts and other public spaces within Accra. The AMA explained that the monthly clean-up campaign remains a key component of its strategy to improve environmental conditions and minimise the impact of flooding, particularly during the rainy season. Blocked drains, choked gutters and indiscriminate waste disposal have long been identified as major contributors to flooding and sanitation-related diseases in the capital.
“The exercise will take place across all sub-metros, electoral areas, markets, lorry parks, communities, business districts and other public spaces within the metropolis as part of the Assembly’s sustained efforts to improve environmental sanitation, protect public health, prevent flooding and promote collective responsibil…
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