The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has announced a month-long free refuse collection exercise across the capital as part of efforts to improve sanitation and clear waste in communities affected by the recent floods.

The Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, announced the initiative during a visit to flood-affected communities, where he inspected sanitation conditions and interacted with residents on ongoing clean-up activities.

According to the mayor, the exercise is intended to encourage residents to dispose of accumulated waste without incurring any cost.

As part of the initiative, the AMA has also introduced a dedicated WhatsApp reporting line, 054 491 4628, to enable residents to report refuse accumulation and sanitation-related offences for prompt action by the Assembly.

Mr Allotey said the intervention forms part of the assembly's wider sanitation response following the recent heavy rains, which left several parts of the city with accumulated refuse and blocked drains.

He noted that the assembly had observed significant waste build-up in affected communities, which contributed to flooding and posed environmental health concerns, prompting the decision to provide free refuse collection for a month.

The AMA said sanitation officers have been deployed across the metropolis to coordinate the exercise and ensure that waste placed at designated collection points is collected and properly disposed of.

According to the assembly, the initiative is expected to improve sanitation across the capital and encourage greater public participation in waste management and sanitation enforcement.