AMA announces August clean-up exercise, warns traders against opening shops

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has scheduled the August edition of the National Sanitation Day clean-up exercise for Saturday, August 1, 2026. The exercise will run from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon across the capital, targeting desilting drains, clearing choked gutters and waterways, sweeping public spaces, and evacuating refuse.

In a directive issued on Monday, July 27, 2026, the AMA mandated that traders, shop owners, transport operators, market leaders, corporate institutions, organizations, and residents must keep their shops and business premises closed during the designated hours. This measure is intended to ensure full participation and effectiveness of the clean-up efforts.

The AMA emphasized that the exercise is a crucial part of its ongoing commitment to enhancing environmental sanitation, safeguarding public health, and mitigating flood risks within the metropolis. It also seeks to foster a sense of shared responsibility among residents for maintaining the city's cleanliness.

Strict enforcement measures will be in place, and the AMA warned that individuals who fail to participate, obstruct the exercise, or engage in trading activities during the clean-up period will face severe consequences. These include arrest, fines, prosecution before the sanitation court, or sanctions under the Assembly’s bye-laws. The AMA urged all stakeholders to cooperate fully to promote a cleaner, healthier, and safer Accra.