The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has announced a mandatory two-day closure of all shops, markets, and non-essential businesses across the capital to facilitate a massive clean-up operation following recent severe flooding.
The directive, which stems from an executive declaration by the President, will take effect on Friday, 10th July, and Saturday, 11th July 2026.
All commercial activities, including tabletop businesses, corporate offices, and hawking, must halt between 6:00 am and 1:00 pm on both days.
Only institutions providing essential and emergency services are exempt from the order.
The exercise is designed to mobilise residents and resources to clear disaster waste, desilt heavily choked drains, and mitigate the risk of further public health crises and flooding.
According to an official statement signed by the Head of Public Affairs, Gilbert Nii Ankrah, the local government intends to enforce the directive strictly.
“The exercise will focus on the evacuation of refuse and disaster waste heaps, sweeping of streets, brushing of kerbs, collection of refuse from public places and road medians, desilting of drains, [and] fumigation of affected areas,” the AMA stated.
The operation will target major economic hubs and transit points on Friday, involving the Assembly, private firms, and educational institutions.
Work will focus on the evacuation of refuse at SIP sites in Ablekuma South, Agbogbloshie Lorry Park, Kaneshie Market, and Pasico.
Street sweeping and kerb brushing will also take place along the Circle Enclave, High Street, Ring Road, and Guggisberg Avenue.
On Saturday, the focus shifts to a broader community-led effort.
The AMA has called upon market leaders, transport unions, and religious bodies to mobilise their members for the exercise, reminding residents that participation is a legal obligation under local governance laws.
“Under the AMA Sanitation, Cleaning and Communal Labour Bye-laws, 2017, every able-bodied person resident in a community or electoral area is required to take part in communal labour organised by the Assembly,” the statement added.
The authorities have issued a stern warning to traders and residents who might attempt to flout the directive or disrupt the environmental officers.
“Persons who open shops, engage in trading activities, obstruct sanitation officers, dump refuse into drains, create illegal dumping sites or undertake any activity that undermines the exercise will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” the Assembly warned.
Debris clearing and drain desilting will also extend to the London Market, Chorkor Chemuenaa, Asafoatse Nettey Road, and the Avenor Township, as part of the city’s wider strategy to restore normalcy and safeguard public health.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
