AMA Cracks Down: Shop Owners Summoned to Court for Ignoring National Sanitation Day
The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has issued summons to several shop owners for defying the mandatory closure order during the inaugural National Sanitation Day on October 4, 2025, marking a shift to judicial enforcement under the Accra Sanitation Bye-laws (2017).
Public Relations Officer Gilbert Ankrah confirmed that sanitation and public health officers swiftly targeted non-compliant businesses in commercial hubs, with offenders slated for arraignment on Monday, October 6, to deter future violations.
The nationwide exercise, launched by President John Dramani Mahama and led by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, required all shops and markets to close from 6 a.m. until cleanup concluded, in line with the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936).
Mayor Michael Kpakpo Allotey, Minister Ahmed Ibrahim, and Ga Mantse King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II joined efforts in key areas like Agbogbloshie, where AMA teams aim to collect 500 tonnes of debris by Monday.bb8484960148 Ankrah noted a 30% uptick in participation, calling it “impressive” despite isolated defiance.
Ibrahim acknowledged logistical gaps, revealing over 60% of Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) lack compactor trucks, relying on inadequate tipper vehicles.fe45685db913 He pledged procurement of 50 compactors for major cities and collaboration with Energy and Roads Ministries to fix street lighting deficits affecting 45% of urban roads, enabling safer extended cleanups.
Allotey declared October “Sanitation Month,” with intensified operations across AMA’s 13 Sub-Metropolitan Districts.
