AMA to amend bye-laws to tackle rising urban heat risks

Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has announced that the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) is set to amend its bye-laws to address rising urban heat risks and strengthen public health protection in the capital.

In a report by adomonline.com on April 16, 2026, he explained that the decision follows a comprehensive review of the Assembly’s governance framework.

According to him, the assessment which covered the AMA’s Resilience Strategy, Medium-Term Development Plan (2026–2029), and existing regulations, identified significant gaps in how extreme heat conditions are managed.

https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Ghana-to-experience-extreme-heat-conditions-in-coming-years-GMet-2028188

Allotey noted that the proposed amendments will formally recognise heat as a public health risk and grant the Assembly the authority to implement and enforce safety measures during periods of extreme weather.

“The revised bye-laws are expected to introduce new safety provisions in high-exposure areas such as markets, transport terminals, and temporary structures, where vulnerable groups are most affected by high temperatures,” the report stated.

He added that the reforms form part of broader efforts to align city policies with evolving climate conditions, while protecting outdoor workers and residents in high-risk communities.

MRA/VPO

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