We’re committed to tackling Accra’s filth, homelessness – AMA assures

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has assured residents of the capital that it is committed to ensuring waste is collected consistently in all areas under its jurisdiction.

In a January 29 interview on the Citi Breakfast Show, the Public Relations Officer of AMA, Gilbert Ankrah, addressed concerns about waste management and homelessness in the city, providing insight into the efforts the assembly has made to tackle these issues despite ongoing challenges.

Mr. Ankrah emphasised that waste collection remains a top priority for AMA, highlighting that refuse in areas such as Circle, which fall under the assembly’s jurisdiction, is cleared on a daily basis.

He explained that even in the absence of a fully appointed mayor, operations have continued smoothly and without disruption.

“If you come to Circle, waste is being cleared in the places that fall under AMA and the waste is being cleared on a daily basis,” the PRO told Bernard Avle during the interview.

He added that “Beginning this year, we have put measures in place to ensure that the refuse of Accra are collected every day.”

This assurance comes at a time when Accra continues to face growing urbanisation challenges, including a rise in waste accumulation in several parts of the city.

The AMA made it clear that it will not allow these challenges to affect the efficiency of its waste management services, which have been expanded to cover more areas and operate at greater frequencies.

However, the issue of homelessness, another pressing concern facing Accra, is more complex, according to Ankrah.

He stressed that addressing homelessness in the city is not solely the responsibility of the AMA but requires collaborative efforts with other institutions, such as Social Welfare and other social service agencies.

While the AMA has worked closely with these organisations in the past to find solutions, Ankrah admitted that there is currently a lack of formal shelters available for the homeless.

“The issue of homelessness requires some forms of collaboration with other institutions to deal with it and we have been doing this.

“We have collaborated with Social Welfare in the past to deal with homelessness. In the past, there used to be shelter but as of now, there is no place that I am aware of.”