AMA clears Accra of filth

Accra, Jan. 28, GNA- Accra, the nation's capital on Saturday had a different atmosphere, following a massive clean-up exercise, launched by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), to clear the city of filth. When the GNA visited the Accra business centre, members of AMA task force were on the streets at Kantamanto, to prevent drivers, especially those driving commercial vehicles from working until 1200 hours. Majority of stores at Makola were closed, and the streets were calm, a rare scene on Saturday and at the Kaneshie Market Complex, the main market and many shops were closed.

The Kaneshie over-pass, usually used by some traders, was free and taken over by beggars, who were begging for alms. Most passengers were stranded, as getting vehicle from Kaneshie was difficult.

At the Odorkor Lorry Park, Mr Jacob Quarshie, Secretary to the Ablekuma branch of the Ghana Private Road and Transport Union (GPRTU), told the GNA that drivers, traders and some members of the community were at the station as early as 0400 hours to begin the exercise. He said the Assemblyman of the area, provided a tipper truck for the collection of garbage, adding that the exercise was successful. At Awoshie, Ablekuma and its surrounding areas, most gutters were cleared of filth as at 0915 hours when the GNA visited the area. The Maranatha Assembly of the Church of Pentecost, at Ablekuma, mobilized its members and had finished cleaning the area as early as 0830 hours.

At Osu, the turn up for the exercise was encouraging, but was generally on individual basis. Although residents cleared weeds, swept the streets and removed garbage from the drains some of them, however, complained of the lack of trucks to carry the garbage away.

The Military also joined other security services to show solidarity to the AMA's sanitation drive.

As early as 0530 hours, personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces took to the 37/La road clearing drains, weeding and sweeping. The pace of work was encouraging and attracted residents of that area, particularly those in the Palm-Wine junction stretch of the road through to the La T-Junction, who joined the military. But the directive for drivers of commercial vehicles to operate only after 1200 hours was not utterly observed as some vehicles were seen carrying passengers to areas considered safe from police interference.

Most drivers, however, avoided passengers heading to the Ministries area, making many passengers to trek the distance. 28 Jan. 06