Samir Engineering, a spare-parts company in Abossey Okai; Vision Transport, and 35 other people and business owners have been ordered to be prosecuted by Accra Mayor Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey for their refusal to close their establishments and take part in Saturday’s citywide clean-up event as part of the relaunched National Sanitation Day.
The offenders mostly located at Tuesday market, Korle-Bu, are Joseph Angela Tagoe, Sandra Mills, Elisabeth Quaye, Stella Adams, Eric Amenu, Vida Borbi, Victoria Allotey, Barbra Mills, Margaret Boafo, and Monica Tubelo.
Others include Janet Nartey, Ernest Yeboah, Francis Salla, Grace, and Lillian Collins; Samir Engineering; Kingsley Arthur; Abdul Aziz Ibrahim; the management of Vision Transport; Aruko; and the manager of Kolaa and VVIP Transport Services, which are situated in Abossey Okai, Kaneshie First Light, Avenor, and Agbogbloshie Market, respectively.
The others at Korle-Bu are Adjetey Laryea, Evelyn Addo, Monica Akua, Francisca Bediako, Edward, Forgive, and Hajia Barikisu.
The Mayor stated that the impacted companies and individuals disregarded the Accra Metropolitan Assembly’s (AMA) order that all stores and marketplaces stay closed while locals clean their immediate area. The Mayor called their behaviour “a blatant disregard for lawful authority” that jeopardises efforts to improve sanitation throughout the city.
In accordance with the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (Communal Labour) Bye-Laws, 2017, which were enacted in accordance with Section 181 of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), the Mayor instructed Public Health Officers to serve statutory notices and court summonses to the offenders as they led inspection teams through the Central Business District, Agbogbloshie, Abossey Okai, and other commercial corridors. The notices stated that the offenders would be arraigned before the new AMA Sanitation and Motor Court.
Mayor Allotey also suspended current construction at the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange throughout the operation, stating that no activity should interfere with the citywide exercise.
The mayor urged traders, transport unions, church organisations and locals to keep up the effort, saying, “This clean-up is not just about sweeping streets; it is about building a culture of responsibility and pride in our environment.”
The Mayor proclaimed October to be “Sanitation Month” for Accra, announcing daily cleanup efforts in neighbourhoods, markets, and truck stops. The AMA also promised to step up public education and enforce strict, unbiased laws throughout the month, with Public Health Officers and zonal task forces keeping a close eye on things.
He pointed out that although most merchants and citizens followed the rules about cleaning streets, desilting drains, and picking up trash, those who did not would be prosecuted in order to preserve the city’s sanitation campaign and further his “clean, safe, and resilient Accra” objective.
For failing to follow the AMA’s sanitation mandate and for keeping unhygienic circumstances throughout the exercise, 37 people and businesses were cited for prosecution.
In order to keep Accra tidy, organised, and ecologically conscious, the Mayor reiterated that the AMA would expedite the prosecution of all violators and uphold the severe implementation of sanitation bylaws.
Source: newsthemegh.com