The Mfantseman Municipal Assembly, under the leadership of the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Hon. Eric Stanley Acquah (popularly known as Mfantseman KK), has intensified its sanitation enforcement exercise with a major clean-up operation targeting choked gutters in Mankessim on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
The exercise, which forms part of the Assembly’s ongoing environmental sanitation agenda, saw the clearing of heavily blocked drains to improve water flow and reduce the risk of flooding as the rainy season sets in.
According to the MCE, the initiative is driven by an electoral-area-based sanitation strategy being implemented across the municipality in collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Mfantseman Municipal Assembly, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), and the Environmental Health and Sanitation Unit.
He disclosed that out of 36 electoral areas in the municipality, 30 have so far benefited from full-scale clean-up operations, describing the progress as a significant step toward improving environmental hygiene and public safety.
3-Day Ultimatum to Business Operators
As part of enforcement measures, the Assembly has issued a three-day ultimatum to companies, traders, and other business entities that have covered or obstructed gutters with structures and materials, thereby hindering proper drainage flow.
Authorities warned that failure to comply within the stipulated period will result in sanctions, including possible demolition of illegal covers and prosecution where necessary.
Inmates Support Sanitation Exercise
In a notable development, inmates from the Akanful Prison participated in the clean-up exercise, providing additional manpower to ensure the smooth execution of the operation. Their involvement, officials say, is part of broader efforts to support community service and rehabilitation initiatives.
Traffic and Roadside Parking Concerns
The MCE also expressed concern over the increasing number of long-distance trucks parked along shoulders of the Mankessim–Accra highway during nighttime hours. He cautioned that such practices pose serious safety risks and disrupt traffic flow.
He indicated that the Assembly will soon introduce strict enforcement measures, including the installation of warning signage and the application of spot fines to deter offenders.
NADMO Warns of Rainy Season Risks
The Mfantseman Municipal Director of NADMO, Mr. Christian Abeiku Yankson, emphasized that Ghana is currently in the peak of the rainy season, stressing the need for proactive measures to prevent flooding and related disasters.
He urged residents to desist from dumping waste into gutters, noting that such behavior remains one of the leading causes of drainage blockages and urban flooding.
Call for Improved Sanitation Practices
Speaking on behalf of the Environmental Health Unit, an officer of the Mfantseman Municipal Assembly highlighted that adequate tools, equipment, and stakeholder cooperation have been key to the success of the sanitation exercise.
He appealed to residents and business owners to maintain proper sanitation practices, stressing that sustaining clean communities requires collective responsibility.
The Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining environmental cleanliness and improving public safety across all communities in the municipality.
