Thursday’s operation, led by officials of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), turned dramatic when a yam seller attempted to flee from the task force.

The exercise, which forms part of the city’s broader campaign to enforce sanitation by-laws, targeted traders selling directly on drains and in areas deemed public health hazards.

Public Health Director at AMA, Florence Kuukyi, explained that the AMA remains resolute in restoring cleanliness and order in Accra’s markets.

“We have already arrested about 12 people, and for those we couldn’t arrest, we’ve confiscated their wares. We know that once we have their items, they will come for them,” she said.

However, speaking to JoyNews’ Stephen Mensah, one aggrieved trader questioned the fairness of the operation.

“When we came here, they told us not to sell on the drains. They also said they wouldn’t seize our goods if we stayed at a safe distance away from the drains. So why are they taking our goods today?” the trader lamented.

The Clean Ghana Campaign, spearheaded by the AMA, has, over the past few years, launched several enforcement exercises across major markets, transport terminals, and public spaces in Accra.

These operations aim to rid the city of open dumping, indiscriminate disposal of waste, and trading on drains — practices officials say contribute to flooding and public health risks.

Source: Myjoyonline

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The arrests followed a swoop by members of the Clean Ghana Task Force, who stormed the market on October 29, 2025, to clear traders operating under filthy and unhygienic conditions — despite earlier directives to relocate and maintain proper sanitation standards.

Director of the Clean Ghana Campaign, Florence Kuukyi, said the task force will not relent in enforcing sanitation by-laws until full compliance is achieved across all major markets in the capital.

“Believe you me, if I remove this pallet, you’ll see rotten yams inside the drain. They trade and push waste from their goods into the drains and cover it up. If we cannot arrest the human beings, we’ll arrest the products,” she told JoyNews.

Spokesperson for the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Gilbert Ankrah, also called on the media and the public to support the campaign, emphasizing that sustained market cleanliness requires a shared commitment.

“The streets are not for selling, and that’s what we want the media to help reinforce. There are empty spaces in the markets, but some traders still choose to return to the streets,” he said.

The Clean Ghana Campaign, spearheaded by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, has intensified operations in key commercial hubs, including Agbogbloshie, as part of efforts to restore order, enforce sanitation laws, and promote environmental hygiene.

Authorities say the latest swoop is part of a renewed drive to ensure traders comply with safety and hygiene regulations to curb disease outbreaks and safeguard public health.

Source: Stephen Aryeetey-Mensah   

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The offences included selling at unauthorised locations, obstructing walkways, and blocking access roads with tricycles, commonly known as “Pragya.”

Those convicted include John Koko, Adu Ibrahim, Donald Koku, Anthony Ngambe, Baadal Aku, Christiana Okai, Peter Yayir, Dalodo Elivah, Ofori Amos, Bilidone Jacob, Jacob Basah, and Emmanuel Naja, who were found guilty of selling in unauthorised places and blocking public pathways.

Others, Simon Bilah, Daniel Okai, Joe Boakye, and Noah Nassim, were charged with obstructing public roads with their tricycles.

According to the Head of Public Affairs at the AMA, Gilbert Nii Ankrah, the traders were arrested by Public Health Officers during a routine inspection exercise at the market as part of ongoing enforcement of the city’s sanitation bye-laws.

“The fines are meant to serve as a deterrent to others who disregard sanitation and public order regulations,” he said, adding that the Assembly is committed to restoring discipline, cleanliness, and safety within Accra.

He noted that the operation followed the relaunch of the National Sanitation Day initiative, which promotes shared responsibility among residents, traders, and business operators to maintain a clean city.

Mr. Ankrah cautioned traders and residents to keep their surroundings clean and desist from selling on open drains, walkways, or unauthorised areas, warning that offenders would face prosecution without exception.

The Head of Public Health at the AMA, Florence Kuukyi, explained that since this was the offenders’ first appearance, the court opted for a fine instead of imprisonment.

“All 21 offenders paid their fines before the close of work at 4:30 p.m. on the same day, as none was willing to serve the three-month jail term at Nsawam prisons,” she said, adding that each trader also signed a bond pledging not to sell along roadsides or on public paths.

Madam Kuukyi further revealed that the enforcement forms part of a three-phase sanitation and decongestion exercise being undertaken by the AMA to restore order in major markets.

The first phase focuses on removing traders from drains and roadsides to ease pedestrian and vehicular movement.

The second will address traders displaying goods on the ground within the market, while the third phase will target food vendors cooking in the market to prevent potential fire hazards.

“Our goal is to transform the Agbogbloshie Market before extending the exercise to other areas, ensuring a clean, safe, and accessible environment for both traders and customers,”
Madam Kuukyi added.

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