The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has announced the temporary closure of shops, markets and other non-essential businesses across the metropolis to facilitate a two-day National Flood Aftermath Clean-up Exercise.

In a press release issued on Thursday, July 9, the Assembly said the exercise, declared by the President, will take place on Friday, July 10, and Saturday, July 11, 2026.

The clean-up exercise will run from 6 AM to 1 PM on both days and forms part of a nationwide effort to mobilise citizens, institutions and businesses to clean their surroundings, desilt drains, remove flood-related debris and support measures aimed at protecting public health and reducing the risk of further flooding.

The assembly directed that all shops, markets, stalls, tabletop businesses, commercial establishments, corporate organisations, hawking activities and other non-essential businesses within the Accra Metropolis remain closed during the exercise.

It, however, said institutions providing essential and emergency services are exempt from the closure directive.

According to the Assembly, the exercise will include the evacuation of refuse and disaster waste, sweeping of streets, brushing of kerbs, collection of refuse from public places and road medians, desilting of drains, fumigation of affected areas and the clearing of flood-related debris, sand, weeds and waste from roads, markets, lorry parks, recreational parks and communal waste collection points.

Planned activities include the evacuation of refuse and post-flood waste at all Sanitation Improvement Package (SIP) sites in Ablekuma South, Agbogbloshie Lorry Park, Kaneshie Market and Pasico.

Street sweeping and kerb brushing will be carried out at the Circle Enclave, High Street, Ring Road and Guggisberg Avenue, while refuse will be collected along Ring Road West, also known as Mortuary Road, and the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange Enclave.

Desilting works will also be undertaken at Agbogbloshie Market, London Market, Chorkor Chemuenaa and Asafotase Nettey Road. Fumigation will be carried out at Agbogbloshie and Kaneshie markets, Avenor Township, Neoplan Station and surrounding areas.

The assembly said Friday's exercise will involve the Assembly, private institutions, security services, educational institutions, waste management companies and the general public.

Saturday's activities will focus on community participation, involving residents, community-based and volunteer groups, security agencies, the Assembly, waste management companies and the general public.

The AMA urged market leaders, business associations, transport unions, corporate institutions, commercial establishments, religious bodies and community leaders to mobilise their members to participate in the exercise and comply with the closure directive.

It also warned that persons who open their shops, engage in trading activities, obstruct sanitation officers, dump refuse into drains, create illegal dumping sites or undertake activities that undermine the exercise will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

The assembly further reminded residents that under the AMA Sanitation, Cleaning and Communal Labour Bye-laws, 2017, every able-bodied person residing within a community or electoral area is required to participate in communal labour organised by the Assembly.

The statement was signed by Gilbert Nii Ankrah, Head of Public Affairs, for the Metro Chief Executive.