Accra Mayor says filth in Accra has reduced

Accra, June 8, GNA - Mr Stanley Adjiri Blankson, Mayor of Accra on Wednesday said the 100-day war he declared against filth in the Metropolis has generally been won with a significant reduction of the garbage level.

He noted that the exercise had also given birth to public awareness that had drastically changed the sanitation behaviour of many residents. Mr Adjiri Blankson was addressing a public forum organised by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to brief the media and the general public on the 100-day war on garbage disposal and efforts to change the Metropolis to befit the status of a Capital City.

He said through the exercise, the huge garbage that had accumulated at Bubiashie, Cable and Wireless, an area in La that created the worse kind of environmental degradation and pollution had been cleared. He said the improvement in the rubbish collection in Accra was the result of the unprecedented support of the public and some corporate bodies.

Mr Adjiri Blankson also touched on the impasse between the sachet water producers in the City and the AMA on the levy being demanded saying "the matter is at present on the desk of the Minister of Trade and Industry, who is making efforts to strike a compromise".

He, however, cautioned that if the outcome was not complied with by the sachet water producers AMA would be compelled to resort to an appropriate action adding, "as a rejuvenated body we will adopt different leadership tactics to match specific situations".

He consequently appealed to the Chiefs and Ga traditional leaders to put behind them chieftaincy disputes, pettiness and antagonism and to rather work to foster unity to move Accra forward.

"In this regard, the AMA has allocated money for the renovation and restoration of the Ga Mantse Palace which would be ready for use by the chiefs and elders during the Homowo celebrations and also serve as a sanctuary to settle differences as well as discuss development projects", he said.

On the Bukuom Park, the Mayor said the area would be face-lifted to make it suitable for public gathering.

Mr Adjiri Blankson gave a progress report on the Kwabenya Landfill Site, saying all the hurdles at the place were being dismantled without the use of force but with adequate cooperation from the people. The AMA Boss said plans were underway to create street market to accommodate the proliferation of street vendors on the major roads, which had become a matter of worry.

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly Chief Executive on assumption of office declared a 100-day war against filth in the capital city, which began on 27th March this year. 09 June 04