AMA fines 13 over sanitation breaches in Accra CBD

Thirteen people have been fined by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly for breaching rules during the National Sanitation Day exercise in the Central Business District.

The offenders included six shop owners, four traders and three drivers.

The AMA disclosed the sanctions in a Facebook post on Monday, June 8.

According to the Assembly, the shop owners, mainly operating around Rawlings Park, failed to clean drains in front of their premises.

They were also accused of continuing their business activities during the exercise, despite a directive for shops to remain closed during the clean-up period.

Four traders were fined for selling during the sanitation exercise, while three drivers were sanctioned for parking at unauthorised places in the city centre.

The enforcement formed part of the reintroduced National Sanitation Day programme, which is aimed at improving cleanliness, clearing drains and reducing flooding in Accra.

The exercise went ahead despite heavy rainfall that started the previous night.

AMA officials, sanitation workers and volunteers cleared drains and removed waste from key areas of the city.

The Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, said the Assembly was determined to continue the exercise regardless of the weather.

He said staff and volunteers worked through the rain because sanitation remained a major priority for the city.

Mr Allotey said some shop owners refused to take part in the exercise and failed to keep the areas around their businesses clean.

He said the Assembly therefore applied its sanitation regulations and imposed fines on those who breached the rules.

The Mayor said the exercise was successful, but warned that sanitation should not be treated as a one-day activity.

He urged residents, traders and businesses to see cleanliness as a continuous responsibility.