Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has rewarded staff of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly’s (AMA) 24-hour Sanitation Office with cash donations for what he described as their tireless and selfless service in keeping the city clean day and night.

The beneficiaries, made up of truck drivers, and excavator operators, were appreciated during the Assembly’s end-of-year get-together hosted by the Mayor at his residence, which brought together staff from all sixteen (16) departments.

They are Isaac Wagah, Eric Zigah, Eric Otoo, Michael Nunoo, Eric Boamah, George Essuman, David Apemeku, Sani  Amani, Alidu Suraji, Desmond Essuman, Christian Atanyo, Richmond Aquaye, John Nkrumah, Blessed Esson, and Edem Zigah.

Speaking during the event the Mayor said the donation was meant to demonstrate that leadership support must be backed by action, explaining that while the amount was not equal to what the workers deserved, it was intended to assure them that the Mayor stood firmly behind them.

He said it was the first time waste collectors under the 24-hour sanitation arrangement were being formally appreciated in that manner, and expressed the belief that the gesture would motivate them to do more to improve the state of cleanliness in Accra.

He commended the sanitation staff for sacrificing family time to work for the city, saying he had personally moved around late at night and still met workers on duty, including around 2 a.m.

He expressed gratitude for their contributions over the year and prayed for God’s blessings on them and their families.

He cautioned that indiscipline would not be tolerated, warning that some workers had engaged in wrongdoing by collecting money from individuals and permitting them to bring waste from other locations to add to Accra’s waste stream, which he said increased volumes and workload.

He appealed to the workers to stop such practices, explaining that improved welfare and better pay would require stricter standards.

 He said the same authority that praised hard-working staff could also dismiss workers who breached the rules.

The Mayor announced the intention to expand staff motivation through an awards scheme and assured workers that further support would be offered to those who consistently performed well.

In a brief address, the Coordinating Director of the AMA, Mr. Douglas N.K. Annoful described the appreciation as a long-awaited milestone and thanked the Mayor for funding the donation from his personal resources rather than AMA funds.

He urged the sanitation team to maintain discipline, noting that management continued to monitor field operations.