The Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has held a maiden management meeting with the leadership of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to set the tone for the year 2026, urging a change in work attitude, stronger problem-solving at departmental levels, and a results-driven push to deliver visible improvements across the metropolis.

The meeting, which focused on internal planning and operational targets for the year, discussed key action areas including the National Sanitation Day programme, decongestion within the Central Business District (CBD), performance contracting for 2026, the Assembly’s Internally Generated Funds (IGF) targets, the organisation of a staff durbar, as well as plans relating to logistics and equipment to support operations.

In his opening remarks, the Mayor wished management a happy new year and called for renewed commitment to duty, noting that the Assembly could only achieve its 2026 agenda if leaders and staff changed their posture towards work and took responsibility for addressing challenges within their areas of assignment.

“Wherever you find yourself, fix the problems there,” he said, stressing that the city’s transformation required practical solutions and a consistent mindset across departments.

The Mayor said AMA worked hard in the previous year, but explained that the impact of those efforts was not sufficiently felt because of recurring institutional and operational challenges the Assembly had to contend with, adding that the new year would be approached with a stronger emphasis on outcomes.

As part of the year’s internal welfare and productivity goals, the Mayor said the Assembly was looking at providing buses for staff, explaining that better logistics support would contribute to improved efficiency and punctuality, while also strengthening staff morale.

The Mayor also outlined infrastructure-focused ambitions for 2026, including plans to build a hospital and renovate schools and roads, saying the Assembly needed to intensify its delivery and change public perceptions about the institution.

He said he remained hopeful about the Assembly’s capacity to deliver, urging management to work together to “change the narrative” and position AMA as a more responsive local authority.

“AMA must rise to the occasion. We can do it,” he said, adding that the Assembly’s record of innovation, including being the first to introduce a 24-hour sanitation operational arrangement, showed that it could achieve ambitious targets when leadership and staff remained focused.

He said the year’s agenda would demand discipline and consistency, noting that he was determined to meet his objectives and expected management to show the same level of commitment.

“I want to achieve my goals,” he said, calling on directors and unit heads to align their departmental priorities with the broader institutional agenda and ensure targets were pursued with urgency.

He encouraged departmental heads to approach 2026 with a problem-solving mindset and collective responsibility, saying leadership at every level must reflect the urgency of the public’s expectations.

The Coordinating Director of the Assembly, Mr. Douglas N.K. Annoful speaking on the outlook for the year, said 2026 was expected to be a crucial year for national and local implementation efforts, stressing that success would depend largely on people and the quality of commitment brought to public service.

The meeting ended with a call for unity, stronger supervision, and a renewed work ethic to support the Assembly’s plans for 2026.