The Ghanaian film industry worked alongside the Mayor of Accra on the second day of the National General Cleaning Exercise, mobilising actors, filmmakers, and other creative people to clean portions of the Central Business District.
The Executive Secretary of the National Film Authority and the organisers of the Regal Film Festival and Awards (REFFA) enthusiastically participated in the statewide effort to improve sanitation and rebuild communities impacted by the recent floods on July 11, 2026.
The film stars were escorted by Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, the mayor of Accra, from the AMA Head Office to the Agbogbloshie Market, where they took part in the collection, sweeping the streets and removing collected trash and rubbish.
Veteran actor Adjetey Anang, actress Roselyn Ngissah, Irene Opare (Clean Mama), Executive Secretary of the National Film Authority Kafui Danku-Pitcher, Chief Executive Officer of REFFA Selassie Ibrahim, and a number of other creative industry stakeholders were among the attendees.
Speaking to the celebrities, the mayor of Accra demanded that sanitation and decongestion laws be strictly and consistently enforced in order to keep cleaned districts from reverting to their former state.
According to Hon. Allotey, the Assembly could not keep spending money on street and drain cleaning while allowing residents, traders, and other people to return to unapproved trading locations or dump rubbish carelessly.
He pointed to the ongoing decongestion and sanitation enforcement at the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange, also referred to as Circle, as proof that consistent enforcement and discipline might have long-lasting effects.
The Assembly will punish anyone who tried to re-enter the cleared areas, the Mayor said, adding that Circle had stayed clean since vendors and other businesses operating at unapproved places were removed.
He noted that although some of the behaviours that led to clogged drains and inadequate sanitation were practiced in the same neighbourhoods, inhabitants of low-income and flood-prone areas were frequently the most severely impacted by flooding.
Hon. Allotey urged citizens and merchants to support the Assembly’s efforts to keep the city in order and to be truthful about their part in the problems with flooding and sanitation.
He acknowledged that some vendors have turned their booths into warehouses while continuing to sell on pavements, roads and other unapproved sites, but he said the Assembly was building and renovating markets to offer appropriate spaces for vendors.
The mayor urged vendors to use approved markets instead of blocking roads and drainage systems, citing the Makola 31st Market, where he claimed there were more than 400 business spots available.
He stated the Circle served as an example of how improvements could be made if municipal officials continued to be dedicated to enforcement and residents followed business and sanitation laws.
According to Madam Selassie Ibrahim, REFFA and the National Film Authority worked together to show the creative industry’s dedication to the country’s progress.
She clarified that it was the duty of creative professionals to back national programs and use their clout to persuade people to prioritise environmental preservation and cleanliness.
Additionally, Ms. Danku-Pitcher emphasised that whenever there is a national exercise, creatives must unite and provide their time, resources, and influence to address issues impacting the nation.
The second day of the exercise was supported by 216 personnel from the AMA task force, security organisations, emergency services, and private garbage management firms.
Four task-force officers at Agbogbloshie, sixteen officers for demolition operations, fourteen at the CMB railway area, eight at the CMB Railway Annex, nineteen at China Lane, eighteen at Kinbu, seven at Rawlings Park and nineteen task-force officers on rotation made up the deployment.
The Ghana National Fire Service, Zoomlion sweepers, Ghana Immigration Service, police, and customs officers were among the supporting agencies.
Source: newsthemegh.com