The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) organised a clean-up exercise in the Bukom community, located in the Ashiedu Keteke Sub-Metropolitan District, to address the issue of flooding during rainfall by desilting drains.

The exercise, which took place on April 23, 2024, involved officials from the Assembly demolishing slabs on minor drains to facilitate the removal of solid waste.

Speaking on behalf of the Ashiedu Keteke Sub-Metro Director, District Cleansing Officer (DCO) for the area, Francis Okuepeh explained that the goal of the exercise was to reduce the risk of flooding and mitigate its impact. 

He stated that the Assembly was mobilizing trucks to collect the solid waste after the desilting works.

Okuepeh mentioned that the AMA was removing structures above major drains to improve solid waste collection and ensure the smooth flow of wastewater. 

He also highlighted the Assembly's efforts in public education campaigns on sanitation, stating that strict enforcement of by-laws was necessary due to the limited impact of these campaigns.

Concerning the enforcement of by-laws, Okuepeh expressed dissatisfaction with the attitude of some Assembly Members who sometimes shielded residents from punishment.

 He urged them to work closely with Assembly officials and advised residents to separate solid waste from liquid waste and avoid obstructing drains with slabs.

“We have educated them several times but it’s going nowhere so we need to enforce the bye-laws. Sometimes when we punish the residents, the Assemblymen try to intervene on their behalf which is bad… they should try and separate their solid waste from the waste so water can flow well in the drains” he said.

Hon. Carlos Nii Mankattah the Assembly Member for the Kinka electoral area, Sub-Metro Chairman of the Ashiedu Keteke Sub-Metro, Francis Asare popularly known as “Abrantie” among other officials were present at the clean-up exercise.