AMA warns of arrests, prosecution of people who fail to participate in August sanitation exercise 

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has cautioned that traders, residents and other persons who fail to comply with the August edition of the National Sanitation Day clean-up exercise or engage in trading during the exercise will face arrest, prosecution and other sanctions.

The clean-up exercise is scheduled for Saturday, August 1, from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon across all sub-metropolitan areas, electoral areas, markets, lorry parks, communities, business districts and other public spaces within the metropolis.

According to the Assembly, all shops, stalls, tabletop businesses, hawking and trading activities are expected to remain closed during the exercise, which will focus on desilting drains, clearing choked gutters and waterways, sweeping public spaces and evacuating refuse.

"The AMA wishes to stress that strict enforcement will be a key component of the exercise, and persons who fail to participate, obstruct the exercise or engage in trading activities during the clean-up period will be arrested, fined, prosecuted before the sanitation court, or sanctioned in accordance with the relevant bye-laws," read part of a statement issued on Monday, July 27.

The statement, signed by the Head of Public Affairs, Gilbert Nii Ankrah, on behalf of the Metro Chief Executive, noted that the monthly exercise forms part of its sustained efforts to improve environmental sanitation, protect public health, prevent flooding and encourage collective responsibility for keeping the capital clean.

It urged traders, transport operators, market leaders, corporate institutions, organisations and residents to actively participate by cleaning their surroundings, desilting drains, clearing frontage areas and supporting waste disposal efforts.

"The AMA, therefore, urges all stakeholders to cooperate fully, keep their shops closed and actively participate in the August edition of the National Sanitation Day clean-up exercise to promote a cleaner, healthier and safer Accra," it stated.