The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has directed the closure of all shops and markets across the capital on Saturday, October 4, 2025, to pave the way for the maiden National Sanitation Day clean-up exercise following its official launch by the President.
In a statement signed by Gilbert Nii Ankrah, Head of Public Affairs, the Assembly said the citywide exercise will begin at 6 a.m., and shops will only reopen after the clean-up has been completed.
“This exercise is being undertaken to rid Accra of filth, promote public health and strengthen our shared responsibility for a cleaner, safer and more resilient city,” the AMA noted.
The directive, which is backed by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (Communal Labour) Bye-Laws, 2017, and section 181 of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), makes it mandatory for residents, traders, and business operators to participate.
Assembly Members have been tasked to lead simultaneous clean-up activities in their electoral areas to ensure a coordinated effort across the metropolis.
The clean-up will cover all sub-metropolitan zones, with intensified work in sanitation hotspots such as Agbogbloshie, Tuesday Market, Kwame Nkrumah Interchange and its environs, Kwasiadwaso, and Kaneshie Market.
According to the AMA, teams will desilt major drains, clear refuse and tidy market precincts to reduce flooding and environmental health risks.
“All residents, traders, shop owners, and stakeholders are urged to strictly observe the temporary closure and actively participate in the exercise to ensure its timely completion,” Mr Ankrah stressed.
“Public Health Officers will be deployed across communities to monitor compliance and enforce the directive,” he added.
The Assembly further cautioned that failure to comply with the directive constitutes an offence punishable by law. Offenders risk a fine of up to one hundred penalty units or imprisonment of between 30 days and six months, or both. A continuing offence also attracts an additional daily penalty.
The AMA said the National Sanitation Day will be observed on the first Saturday of every month going forward, reinforcing its vision of “making Accra a smart, sustainable city.”
