The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has announced that it will host the national flagship clean-up exercise on Saturday, October 3, 2026. This event is part of the activities to mark the October edition of the National Sanitation Day and commemorate the 2026 World Cleanup Day. The exercise aims to bring together residents, traders, transport operators, corporate institutions, and other stakeholders to improve environmental sanitation across the metropolis.
The exercise will be led by the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga. The theme of the event is “National Sanitation Day: Local Actions Yielding National Impact.” This initiative is part of the government’s Clean Up Ghana Agenda, which seeks to promote collective responsibility for a cleaner environment. The AMA has coordinated clean-up activities across its three sub-metropolitan areas.
The designated locations for the clean-up exercise include London Market and Rawlings Park in Ashiedu Keteke; Tuesday Market and Camara in Ablekuma South; and Circle Neoplan in Okaikoi South. At these locations, residents and stakeholders will engage in desilting drains, sweeping streets, and removing refuse from public spaces. The AMA has directed all shops, markets, and other commercial establishments within its jurisdiction to suspend business operations temporarily from 6:00 a.m. to noon on the day of the exercise.
Businesses are expected to use this period to desilt drains, sweep streets, clear refuse, and clean their immediate surroundings. The Assembly has warned that Public Health Officers, popularly known as Sama-Sama, together with the AMA Sanitation Task Force, will be deployed across the metropolis to monitor compliance and enforce sanitation regulations. Individuals and businesses that fail to comply with the directives could face sanctions, including prosecution and penalties prescribed by law.
The AMA has appealed to corporate institutions, non-governmental organisations, community-based organisations, religious bodies, youth groups, and schools to participate in the exercise and mobilise their members. The Assembly stressed that maintaining a clean city cannot be achieved by the Assembly alone but requires sustained cooperation from residents and other stakeholders. The public is urged to participate actively in the exercise.
Collective action is necessary to promote environmental sustainability and create a cleaner and healthier Accra. The AMA believes that this exercise will help to promote a culture of cleanliness and environmental sustainability among residents. The event is also expected to raise awareness about the importance of sanitation and its impact on public health.
The AMA’s initiative has received support from various stakeholders, who believe that it is a step in the right direction towards achieving a cleaner and healthier environment. The exercise is expected to make a significant impact on the environment and promote a sense of responsibility among residents. Key stakeholders are expected to participate in the exercise to ensure its success.
Key points
- The Accra Metropolitan Assembly will host the national World Cleanup Day exercise on October 3, 2026.
- The exercise aims to improve environmental sanitation across the metropolis.
- The event will be led by the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mahama Ayariga.
