The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) on Thursday, June 6 desilted major drains at the Central Business District (CBD) to improve the flow of wastewater. 

The desilting exercise, led by the acting Chairman of the Ashiedu Keteke Sub-Metropolitan Council, Hon Francis Asare, also known as “Abrantie”, aimed to address ongoing sanitation and flooding in the market following heavy rains.

Hon Asare, who also serves as the Assemblyman for the Mudor Electoral Area, revealed that a substantial accumulation of refuse had clogged the drains over time, making the clean-up difficult. 

He appealed to traders to cease the practice of dumping refuse into the drains, emphasising the importance of mitigating the effects of the ongoing rainy season.

"These traders are causing this problem. Most of the waste we removed consists of materials they sell at the market. Our investigations show the traders intentionally drop their goods in the gutters, which sets a bad precedent for the city," he stated.

Hon Asare specifically identified traders selling second-hand clothes and slippers on the pavement as major contributors to the blockage drains, adding that they dump their non-essentials into the drains, which block the drains.

Expressing disappointment over the situation, Hon Asare called for collective efforts to improve sanitation in the city and protect vulnerable residents. He reminded traders of the existence of a sanitation court designed to fine and prosecute those who violate AMA bylaws, serving as a deterrent to potential offenders.

In response to the desilting exercise, some traders in the area expressed gratitude to the AMA for addressing their long-standing problem, promising to comply with the new directives. They commended the Mayor for her dedication to sanitation and commitment to enhancing living conditions in Accra.