AMA clears illegal refuse dumps along Graphic Road, urges public to report offenders

Story by: Regina Bless

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has evacuated heaps of illegally dumped refuse along Graphic Road in Accra as part of efforts to improve sanitation and maintain a clean and healthy environment across the metropolis.

The refuse, which had been packed into sacks and abandoned along the roadside by unidentified persons, had accumulated at the location, creating an unsightly environment and posing potential public health risks to residents, pedestrians and motorists.

The exercise, supervised by the Metropolitan Coordinating Director, Mr Douglas N.K. Annoful, also involved the removal of a structure erected on part of the pavement by a woman described as mentally challenged.

The operation forms part of the Assembly’s ongoing sanitation interventions to prevent the accumulation of waste along major roads, streets and other public spaces within its jurisdiction.

Mr Annoful, accompanied by the Director of Waste Management, Engineer Prosper Kotoka, and the Director of Finance, Mr Abeeku Amissah, inspected the affected area and supervised the removal of the refuse to restore cleanliness and improve environmental conditions.

Addressing the media, the Head of Public Affairs at the AMA, Mr Gilbert Nii Ankrah, expressed concern about indiscriminate waste disposal, noting that the practice undermined the Assembly’s waste management operations and placed an additional financial burden on public resources.

He appealed to residents to support the Assembly’s sanitation efforts by reporting individuals who illegally dump refuse along streets, roadsides, drains and other public spaces through its “See Something, Say Something” WhatsApp reporting channel on 0544 914 628.

Mr Ankrah explained that timely reports containing the locations of illegal dumping activities and any available evidence would help facilitate investigations and enforcement.

He stressed that public participation remained essential to the success of the Assembly’s 24-hour waste collection operations and broader efforts to address sanitation challenges across Accra.

He further reiterated the AMA’s commitment to strengthening waste collection services through its ongoing 24-hour waste collection exercise, which seeks to ensure the timely evacuation of refuse and prevent the accumulation of waste at unauthorised dumping sites.

According to him, the Assembly would continue to intensify public education, monitoring and enforcement activities to discourage indiscriminate waste disposal and promote compliance with sanitation by-laws.

Mr Ankrah called on residents, traders, businesses and other stakeholders to cooperate with the Assembly and adopt responsible waste disposal practices to help keep Accra clean, safe and healthy.