The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has fined 13 people in the Central Business District for violating National Sanitation Day (NSD) directives on Saturday, June 6, 2026.
The offenders, six shop owners, four traders, and three drivers, were issued spot fines for operating during the clean-up exercise and breaching sanitation rules.
According to the AMA, these individuals who owned shops within the Rawlings Park enclave were fined for failing to clean drains in front of their premises and for opening their shops during the exercise.
The four traders were sanctioned for selling during the clean-up period. The three drivers were fined for parking at unauthorised locations.
Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, said the exercise went ahead despite heavy rainfall that began the night before. He said AMA staff and other participants worked through the rain to carry out the clean-up.
He said the Assembly encountered challenges with some shop owners who failed to participate in the clean-up and did not clean their surroundings, prompting the AMA to enforce its sanitation regulations and issue spot fines to offenders.
Mr. Allotey stressed that sanitation is a continuous responsibility, not a one-day activity. The Assembly will continue cleaning areas that could not be covered during the exercise.
He noted that many residents and traders are still adjusting to the reintroduced NSD initiative, which had not been observed for more than four years. He called for renewed public education, discipline, and participation.
The Mayor blamed flooding in Accra largely on human activities. These include dumping refuse into drains, building on waterways without permits, and placing structures or goods in drainage channels. He cautioned that the Assembly will continue removing obstructions from waterways.
Mr. Allotey said he supervised the demolition of some unauthorised structures blocking waterways a day before the exercise.
He warned that persons caught dumping refuse into drains will be prosecuted, fined or imprisoned, depending on the court’s decision.
The AMA is introducing a whistleblower incentive programme. Anyone who reports someone dumping refuse into drains with credible information leading to arrest and prosecution will receive a GH¢200 reward.
On road works, the Mayor said reconstruction of the Rawlings Park road is in two phases. Phase one at CMB is completed. Phase two at Rawlings Park has been delayed by persistent rains.
Materials have been delivered to the site, and work will resume once the weather improves. Substantial completion is expected by next week.
