The Mayor of Accra has announced a new initiative aimed at tackling poor sanitation in the capital, offering a cash reward of GH¢200 to residents who provide credible information leading to the arrest of individuals involved in littering or illegal waste dumping.
The move forms part of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly’s intensified efforts to keep the city clean and promote responsible waste disposal practices. According to the Mayor, sanitation remains one of the biggest challenges confronting the city, despite ongoing public education campaigns and regular clean-up exercises.
Speaking during a stakeholder engagement on environmental sanitation, the Mayor stressed that maintaining a clean city requires the collective effort of all residents. He noted that indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drains, open spaces, and along roadsides continues to contribute to flooding and environmental degradation.
To encourage public participation, the Assembly is introducing the reward system for citizens who submit verifiable evidence, including photographs or videos, of individuals violating sanitation regulations. Informants whose reports result in successful enforcement action will receive GH¢200 as an incentive.
The Mayor warned that offenders would face prosecution and other penalties prescribed under local sanitation by-laws. He emphasized that the Assembly would not relent in its efforts to ensure compliance, adding that sanitation enforcement teams would be deployed across various parts of the city.
He further urged residents to make use of approved waste collection services and avoid practices that endanger public health and the environment. The Mayor expressed confidence that the reward scheme would help strengthen community involvement in the fight against littering and illegal dumping.
The initiative has been welcomed by some residents and environmental advocates, who believe it could serve as a deterrent to sanitation offenders while promoting greater civic responsibility.
Authorities say the programme is expected to complement broader efforts to improve waste management and create a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient Accra.
