AMA Boss Blames Staff

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Chief Executive, Stanley Nii Adjiri-Blankson, says corrupt practices by some members of staff of the assembly have consistently affected its revenue mobilization for sometime now.

"If members of the public do not collude with our staff to deprive us of so much money, AMA will be one of the wealthiest institutions in the country," he said.

Mr Adjiri-Blankson announced this when the Vice-President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, paid a familiarization visit to the AMA and some AMA sites in the metropolis.

They include the 89-million-dollar Korle Lagoon Ecological Restoration Project, which is 95 per cent complete, the site for the proposed hawkers' market at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, and the ¢12 billion New Achimota Lorry Terminal, which will be ready by March ending.

Mr Adjiri-Blankson assured the nation, especially those in Accra, that he would do his best to improve on the revenue collection processes of the assembly.

"Some members of staff don't live up to expectation but we are determined that those bad nuts are flushed out."

He said the staff of 8,000 operated with very minimal resources making their performance sub-standard, which had placed the AMA under the searchlight of both the public and the media for a very long time.

Alhaji Mahama who addressed the AMA staff called on all Ghanaians to make this year "a year of hard work and discipline."

He reminded Ghanaians that ensuring environmental cleanliness and proper sanitation was a corporate responsibility and not that of those in leadership position alone.

He said he would personally participate in Saturday's clean-up exercise being organized by the AMA, and appealed to both individuals and organizations to get involved to rid the city of filth.

He said although individuals and groups always complained about poor sanitation in the country, especially Accra, they usually did nothing about the situation but always expected government to do everything.

Alhaji Mahama said the main cause of poor sanitation in Accra is the attitude of people throwing waste, especially polythene bags, anywhere.

"We are all guilty of that and it is therefore a great challenge to all of us and not those only in leadership position," he said.

He later addressed hawkers at the Odawna Lorry Park and the Kaneshie Station and asked them to co-operate with the Kufuor government since "you gave us the power."