A statement, signed by Gilbert Ankrah, Head of Public Affairs, AMA, said the AYCAF aims among other things to provide young people with the necessary resources and support to develop and implement projects that addressed environmental challenges and promoted sustainable development.

With financial support from the Bloomberg Philanthropies, AYCAF was launched in April 2024 by the Metropolitan Chief Executive of AMA, Elizabeth Naa Kwatsoe Tawiah Sackey to empower the youth of Accra who engage in climate mitigation actions.

The selected projects are Youth-Managed Recycling and Waste Reduction Programmes, Accra Community and Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) source separation at Jamestown and Integrating Climate Change Education in local governance and development.

Others are Plastic Footprint Reduction Project (PFRP), Mangrove Restoration for Coastal Protection, Urban Greening, Sustainable Climate Financing Initiatives, Green Future Awareness and Education Campaign and Project Ecomakola.

The rest are Clean Accra and Separation of Waste, Green Ambassadors Programme, Empowering Youth in Climate Resilience and Climate Preparedness and Youth Eco Power project.

The statement said a total of 31 applications were received and 12 were selected after a rigorous evaluation process based on predefined criteria to ensure alignment with the objectives of the AYCAF initiative and the broader Accra Climate Action Plan (2021-2025).

“The initiative does not only aim to address immediate climate challenges but also invests in the long-term development of future environmental leaders,” it said.

The AMA has given its assurance of supporting youth-led projects to build a resilient and sustainable urban environment which aligns with global climate goals and enhance the quality of life for its residents.

Source: GNA

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Supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, AYCAF was launched in April 2024 by the Mayor of Accra, Elizabeth Naa Kwatsoe Tawiah Sackey, to empower the youth of Accra to engage in climate action and sustainability projects.

The selected projects are youth-managed recycling and waste reduction programmes, Accra Community Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) source separation at Jamestown, integrating climate change education in local governance and development, the Plastic Footprint Reduction Project (PFRP) as well as Mangrove Restoration for Coastal Protection and Urban Greening.

The rest are Sustainable climate financing initiatives, Green future awareness and education campaign, Project Ecomakola, Clean Accra: source separation of waste, Green Ambassadors programme, Empowering youth in climate resilience and climate preparedness, and Youth Eco Power project.

This was contained in a press release signed by the Head of Public Affairs at the AMA on behalf of the Mayor of Accra.

According to the release, the selected projects covered key areas of climate action such as citizen and community engagement, solid waste optimisation, and sustainable transportation, showcasing the creativity and dedication of young people in Accra towards building a sustainable future.

The statement noted that the AYCAF aimed to, among other things provide young people with the necessary resources and support to develop and implement projects that address environmental challenges and promote sustainable development.

“By fostering youth-led initiatives, the fund intends to harness the creativity and energy of the younger generation to create a positive impact on the community and the environment,” the release noted.

The statement noted that a total of 31 applications were received for the fund, covering diverse sectors such as waste management, renewable energy, urban planning, and climate education, out of which 12 were selected after a rigorous evaluation process based on predefined criteria to ensure alignment with the objectives of the AYCAF initiative and the broader Accra Climate Action Plan (2021-2025).

The statement further expressed the AMA’s optimism about the potential impact of the projects, stating that the Accra Youth Climate Action Fund was a testament to the city’s dedication to fostering innovation and empowering its youth.

“The initiative not only aims to address immediate climate challenges but also invests in the long-term development of future environmental leaders. By engaging the youth in meaningful climate action, the AMA continues to advance its goals of enhancing climate resilience and sustainability in Accra,” the statement noted.

The statement also acknowledged that the AMA’s commitment to climate action was reflected in its comprehensive approach to addressing environmental challenges, adding that by supporting youth-led projects, the city aimed to build a resilient and sustainable urban environment, aligning with global climate goals and enhancing the quality of life for its residents.

What’s Changing? 

The new platform has two main systems: the Billing Administration System and the Customer Self-Service System. The Billing Administration System is able to bill for all the service lines on the platform, i.e., Business Operating Permits, Market Tolls, Parking Tolls, Property Rates, and Trader’s Licenses & Bulk Goods.

The Customer Self-Service System enables anyone to log in to the platform at ama.gov.gh to pay for any of the listed services.

• Business Operating Permits: Business owners can now pay for their permits online. They can check their bills, pay from anywhere, and receive digital receipts and payment certificates that can be printed if needed.

• Market Tolls: Market traders can pay their daily tolls using mobile money or cash by simply dialing a code or following a link. They get instant SMS updates with their payment receipts, making it easier and faster to manage their payments.

• Parking Tolls: Both private and commercial drivers can now pay for parking online or offline. Whether through a self-service portal or with the help of a revenue inspector, payments can be made using mobile money or cash, with receipts provided instantly.

• Property Rates: Property owners can now receive digital reminders for their bills. They can also search for their property bills online, make payments, and receive receipts—all from the comfort of their homes.

• Trader’s Licenses & Bulk Goods: Traders who deal in bulk items or operate market stalls can easily pay their bills online or offline. The new platform ensures they get receipts for their payments, reducing the need for physical visits to the Assembly’s offices.

For the A.M.A., this system will help streamline operations and improve communication with residents. By making it easier for its residents to pay for services, the Assembly expects to see a boost in revenue. This increased revenue will, in turn, be used to improve infrastructure and services within the city, making Accra a better place to live and work.

Recognising the potential for a revenue boost, Metropolitan Coordinating Director Mr. Douglas N.K Annoful declared the project a “game-changer.” “This digitization project could be a game-changer for our revenues”, he said.

“We are all aware that the A.M.A relies heavily on these revenues to function effectively and deliver essential services for our residents. By piloting this digital payment platform, we are aiming to streamline the payment process and make it easier for everyone to access and pay for services. Therefore, we are urging the public to participate fully by making their payments through this user-friendly system.

“Overall, this digital payment platform represents a significant step forward in our efforts to improve service delivery for our customers and all stakeholders in Accra,” Mr. Annoful concluded. “We are confident that this project will yield positive results for both residents and businesses, ultimately leading to a more efficient and prosperous Accra.”

Speaking about the pilot program, the Mayor of the Assembly, Elizabeth Naa Kwatsoe Tawiah Sackey, emphasized the focus of her administration on streamlining city systems. She stated, “A key focus of my administration has been to simplify and organize how things work, allowing us to become more self-reliant in the long run. This initiative will not only enhance efficiency but also empower local communities to take greater ownership of their city’s success. A streamlined system ensures faster response times, better communication, and a more transparent process for everyone involved.”

The Mayor continued, “For the past two years, we have engaged and collaborated with technology partners like Omni Strategies to identify the best ways for the Assembly to streamline its services and revenue collection. The result of this collaboration is what we are piloting today. We are confident that this digital payment platform will deliver as expected.”

The launch of this digital payment platform marks a significant step forward in the digitization of city services. It is expected to enhance the efficiency of the A.M.A. and provide residents with a more convenient and efficient way to access and pay for services. This modernization effort highlights the Assembly’s commitment to improving the quality of life for everyone in Accra.

As Accra continues to grow, such innovations will be crucial in ensuring that the city’s infrastructure and services keep pace with the needs of its residents. The new digital payment platform is not just a technological upgrade; it’s a promise of better service delivery and a more connected community.

The sugarcane seller was caught cutting and packaging  sugarcane sticks for sale with profuse sweat on her arms in an unhygienic environment.

She was found to be operating without a health certificate and was subsequently taken away by the AMA guards.

Where she was operating is a known sugarcane processing centre which serves as a distribution centre for most of the packaged sugarcane pieces sold in the Kaneshie area.

Concerning the offences of the corn mill operators, the Director of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly Public Health, Florence Kuukyi said the offenders were operating in a filthy environment that poses danger to public health. She, however, ordered the closure of their shops.

The situation compelled the health inspectors to educate the people on good environmental practices.

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See more photos below:

The four: Cecilia Klottey, Regina Okinkoi, Okailey Norrah Ayi and Mercy Tetteh, were apprehended and their wares were confiscated on Friday.

This was after several cautions by the Metropolitan Environmental Health Officers (MEHOs) about the potential hygiene and safety issues posed by drying fish in such a public space close to the Korle Lagoon.  

The practice, according to the AMA exposes the fish to particles of smoke from vehicle exhaust, worn-out ties, and dust, as well as a strong stench permeating the area, causing discomfort to pedestrians and nearby schools, which is dangerous to public health and safety. 

The Head of Public Affairs, Gilbert Nii Ankrah who disclosed this to the media said Public Health Officers of the Assembly had initially attempted to address the issue through a series of verbal and written warnings, outlining the health implications but the cautions were not adhered to leading to the decision to arrest and take legal action. 

He emphasised that the exhaust emissions from the vehicles release a mixture of pollutants, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and fine particulate matter, which can settle on surfaces such as the fish being dried, adding that particles from worn-out tires, a common source of microplastics, could also contribute to contamination which compromises the safety and quality of the dried fish, potentially affecting the health of those who consume them. 

“According to environmental scientists, inhaling or ingesting these contaminants can pose health risks, especially for vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory conditions,” he said. 

He assured that the Assembly would strike a balance between the cultural heritage and contemporary regulations stressing that efforts would be made to work with the fishmongers and other traditional businesses to find suitable solutions that respect both their practices and the city’s standards.

“Efforts are being made to educate traditional businesses about the potential risks associated with drying food in open, uncontrolled spaces and to encourage them to adopt safer alternatives…We intend to strike a balance between the cultural heritage and contemporary regulations, ” he said.  

He expressed concerns over the broader environmental impact associated with such practices in an increasingly urbanized setting and urged citizens to report any such activities taking place in their neighbourhoods to ensure swift and effective action. 

He reiterated the AMA’s commitment to maintaining a clean, safe, and harmonious urban environment for all residents and visitors.

Jessica Tetteh, a resident who witnessed the arrest, shared her concern about the incident. “I’m glad the authorities are cracking down on this illegal activity. Drying fish in public areas is not only unhygienic, but it also creates an unpleasant and unsightly environment for everyone.” 

The four fishmongers are currently awaiting their day in court, where they will face charges related to public health and safety violations.

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It also confiscated the items of 17 food vendors, Mrs Florence Kuukyi, Director of Metro Public Health Department, AMA, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA).

She said some of the vendors sold expired food, ingredients and cooked in unclean places.
Mrs Kuukyi said others had kitchen staff, who were not medically screened or were suffering from infectious diseases, which could be transmitted to consumers.

She said her office was embarking on education, training, screening, and monitoring of food vendors at supermarkets, drinking spots, school canteens, restaurants, hotels, night clubs, chop bars and food stands and called for support.

Mrs Kuukyi said they were going to enforce regulations on the covering of hair while cooking, no wearing of nail extensions and polish and the no wearing of dangling earrings.
She said over 1,868 food vendors had been screened since January and certified to sell food.

Mrs Kuukyi said food was one of the “drivers that sustains humans” so, there was the need to always ensure food safety and advised the public to take responsibility for whatever they consumed ensuring that every morsel was safe to swallow.

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Among the offenders arrested for dumping waste at unauthorised places were Rebecca Barnor Owuah, 46, a sanitation worker under the Sanitation Model of the Youth Employment Agency supervised by Zoomlion Ghana Limited and Akuley Tagoe, 25, a Trader. 

The rest, who were arrested for open defecation, were Bright Ayala, 25,  a boxer with the Wisdom Academy Gym at Jamestown,  Suleman Yakubu, 56,  a scrap dealer,  Robert Quartey 52 years, Nii Quaye Isaac, 37, a driver,  Abdul- Rashid Ayuba, 37, and a carpenter,   Fuseini Alhassan.

Others were 31-year-old head porter,  Ebenezer Nyarko, 26, a coconut seller,  Asamoah Dennis,  39, unemployed,  Jesse Bills ,27, unemployed, Kwaku Jacob ,20,  a staff of Sikkens,  Kwame Ametordzi, 30 years unemployed,  Ayetey Ayequaye, 40, unemployed and  Adu-Gyamfi Bismark , 32, a labourer. 

The offenders, who were arrested between the hours of 4:00 am and 6:00 am at different locations within the Central Business District of Accra, according to the Head of the Environmental Health Department of the AMA, Florence Kuukyi, would be made to sign a bond and pay the cost of abatement or risk court action. 

Touching on the issue of open defecation, she stressed that the drains and open spaces were not places to attend nature’s call, adding that it was against the AMA’s sanitation bye-laws. 

“Open defecation leads to contamination of water sources and food…This can also cause typhoid fever, diarrhoea and cholera, this is why according to the bye-laws, every household must have a ‘place of convenience’ or ‘toilet’ and if it’s absent in a home, its occupants should visit the public toilets,” she said. 

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She used the opportunity to call on all residents and households to patronise the household toilet facilities being constructed by the assembly. 

She warned that the Assembly had intensified its enforcement exercise and would not countenance any breach of the assembly’s bylaws on sanitation, and food safety. 

The initiative, which is being supported by sports betting company BetPawa and headline sponsor of the Ghana Premier League, would see the deployment of 200 personnel to sweep four major ceremonial streets namely; John Evans Atta Mills High Street, Asafoatse Nettey Road, Kinbu Gardens through Octagon to Kinbu Gardens, and Circle to Kaneshie 1st Light. 

The sweepers, who will be working in two shifts of 12 hours, from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day, would be supported by officers of the Public Health Department of AMA to enforce the sanitation bye-laws.

Speaking at the launch at the forecourt of the AMA on Wednesday, December 14, the Chief Executive of AMA, Elizabeth Sackey, said the initiative was not a duplication of “Operation Clean Your Frontage” which was launched by the Regional Minister, Henry Quartey, in June 2020 to encourage people to take responsibility for keeping their properties clean, especially their frontages but to complement it. 

She assured that the sweepers would be motivated whilst calling on all stakeholders especially the hawkers and traders to police their immediate environs to support this exercise.

She disclosed that the City of Accra generates over 1,800 tonnes of waste daily, adding that to address the problem, over 300 sanitary offenders had been successfully prosecuted from January to date. 

“The City of Accra alone generates waste of over 1,800 tonnes daily, the highest in the country so far. Unfortunately, most of these wastes are not properly disposed of thereby creating serious health issues for the citizens… To address this, over 300 sanitary offenders, from January to date, have been successfully prosecuted and heavy fines placed on them to serve as a deterrent to others,” she said.

She said plans were far advanced to establish a sanitation court within the AMA’s jurisdiction to deal with issues of sanitation and related offences.

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She also noted that the Assembly was undertaking other initiatives to improve sanitation within the city citing a Source Separation and Compost Project aimed at diverting 50 per cent of municipal solid waste from the landfill in line with the Accra Climate Action Plan, a Zero Waste Street Project, distribution of special poly bags to street hawkers and traders to control littering within the Central Business District (CBD) among others. 

“In the coming year some of the informal waste workers and migrants will be enrolled on to the NHIS and provided with protective clothing under the Assembly’s collaboration with the Mayor’s Migration Council,” she said.

She also used the opportunity to call on stakeholders to come on board to scale up the initiative and urged other sister Assemblies to join hands with AMA to make Greater Accra the cleanest in Africa as envisioned by His Excellency the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo. 

Head of PR and Sponsorship at betPawa, Nii Armah Ashong-Katai, noted that their collaboration with AMA was to achieve the company’s mission of empowering people by providing opportunities to change their lives.

“There is no simpler or more powerful way to change millions of lives for the better than by improving sanitation,” he said.

BetPawa contributed 200 coats, 100 raincoats, and 100 waste bins to the launch of Sweepers on the Street.

Present at the launch were representatives of religious bodies, the Ghana Tourism Authority, the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, security agencies, Heads of Department and Staff of AMA, Market queen mothers, and a team from the South Korean Environment Ministry.