Accra is one of the best cities in the world - Accra Mayor

Accra is currently among the best cities in the World, Mr Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive announced on Friday when interacting with residents to brief them on activities of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA).

“Accra is now cleaner and better,” he indicated referring to a recent released UN Report.

This is the first in series of programmes being undertaken by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Radio Gold, an Accra-based FM station in partnership with Third Eye Consult for regional capitals to inform the people about activities of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).

Mr Vanderpuije said AMA in partnership with waste management companies had improved waste management in the Metropolis towards improved sanitation.

He noted that more than 2,200 tonnes of refuse was generated in the Metropolis daily, but being properly managed with the introduction of a new system which allowed the residents to pay for the refuse generated.

Mr Vanderpuije said more modern scientific methods of waste disposal were now being implemented and by the end of May, the Mallam and Anyaa Landfill sites being used as refuse dump would be closed and moved to a more appropriate place for the refuse to be recycled.

He announced that the “Lavender Hill" at Korle Gonno where liquid waste were disposed off would by June this year, be a thing of the past, explaining that “People will be stopped from dumping liquid waste into the sea at that point and rather dump them at a new liquid waste plant being built at East Legon”.

Mr Vanderpuije said all activities and programmes undertaken by AMA during the past three years were to improve the living standards of the residents as well as the demolition of unauthorised structures on waterways, to construct better drains removal of street hawkers for the safety of residents from pickpockets and other miscreants.

He explained that in pursuant of the "Better Ghana" agenda, AMA had abolished in the Metropolis, the age long shift system in education that allowed about 70 pupils in a class for four hours, now reduced to a small number of pupils in a class.

"More classrooms and furniture are being provided for schools, while health facilities, particularly the polyclinics were being expanded in the Metropolis."

On street hawking, the Accra Mayor asked the hawkers not to risk their lives since there was more value to life and urged them not to risk their lives on the streets.

However, he assured them that the Odorna Market near the Kwame Nkrumah Circle would be opened for night market to enable traders sell their wares instead of trading on the streets during the day.

"This is due to the persistent appeals from the traders who needed to trade at least in the night to fend for their families," he added.