The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has embarked on a clean-up exercise across the metropolis to mark the second edition of the National Sanitation Day, amid strict enforcement of sanitation bye-laws by Public Health Officers.

The exercise,  which formed part of efforts to promote environmental cleanliness and encourage full public participation in the citywide campaign to make Accra cleaner, safer, and healthier, saw the AMA desilting major drains, brushing of road kerbs, sweeping and removal of obstructions from the streets in major areas including the Agbogbloshie and London Markets and Chorkor through Lante Maami to Chemuenaa where the Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey led the exercise.

Speaking to the media during the exercise at the Agbogbloshie Market, Mayor Allotey expressed satisfaction with the turnout and commended majority of the traders for supporting the exercise.

“First of all, I want to thank the good people of Ghana for always listening to us whenever there is information about National Sanitation Day. I truly appreciate Ghanaians for being wonderful people and law-abiding citizens,” he said.

The Mayor noted that the Assembly had fulfilled its promise of dedicating an entire month to continue clean-up works at Agbogbloshie following the first edition of the exercise, adding that significant progress had been achieved.

“You can see the great work that has been done. As we said, we are still here, working to sustain these improvements. My overall observation today is that we are having a wonderful exercise. Many people have supported us, and I am very pleased with the turnout,” he added.

Mayor Allotey however, cautioned that individuals who violated the bye-laws by opening their shops during the exercise would face sanctions, stressing that enforcement was crucial to sustaining discipline and preventing indiscriminate dumping.

“We will make sure the laws are enforced, and these few people will serve as examples to demonstrate that our bye -  laws are effective. Without the enforcement of these bye - laws, people might act carelessly, for example, turning gutters into dumping sites,” he warned.

He acknowledged the continuous role of the Sanitation Court in promoting compliance, expressing optimism that such enforcement mechanisms would ensure long-term discipline in the metropolis.

“Let me emphasise that cleanliness must be a lifestyle for everyone. You cannot keep your home neat while walking in a dirty environment. I am once again pleading and appealing, as I often do, that whenever we see a choked gutter or an unclean environment, we take action, alert people around, or report it directly to the AMA office,” he said.

The Mayor reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to sustaining the gains made under the "Resetting Accra Agenda" and reiterated that maintaining cleanliness in the city was a shared civic responsibility.