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Accra to mark 10th Anniversary of June 3rd Disaster with Climate Summit and Citywide Clean-Up
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The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), in collaboration with youth-led environmental groups, will mark the 10th anniversary of the June 3 Twin Disaster with a citywide climate summit and sanitation campaign aimed at spotlighting the urgent need for climate action and urban resilience.
The announcement was made in a statement signed by the Head of Public Affairs of the AMA on behalf of the Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey.
According to the statement, the commemorative summit, scheduled for Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at the Omanye Aba Hall of the AMA at 10:00 a.m. would be held under the theme: “June 3, A Stern Reminder of Climate Inaction,”
and reflect on the infrastructural, environmental, and governance failures that contributed to the 2015 tragedy while mobilising support for ongoing adaptation measures.
The AMA in the statement stated that the summit was being organised in partnership with Youth Climate Advocates under Phase II of the Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF), a programme aimed at empowering young people to contribute to climate solutions in their communities.
“Beyond remembrance, this year’s June 3rd anniversary presents a vital opportunity to recommit to concrete climate actions, the summit will be accompanied by targeted climate awareness campaigns in schools, stakeholder engagements, and a major citywide clean-up exercise led by YCAF micro-grantees,” the statement read.
The clean-up exercise, according to the AMA, would focus on desilting gutters and clearing plastic waste from markets and adjoining streets across Accra to enhance community participation in sanitation and deepen environmental consciousness at the grassroots level.
In line with its long-term climate adaptation strategy, the Assembly also outlined a series of ongoing interventions aimed at addressing the root causes of urban flooding and strengthening the city’s resilience to extreme weather.
The statement indicated that the Assembly had intensified routine maintenance of tertiary and secondary drains across the three sub-metropolitan areas: Okaikoi South, Ablekuma South, and Ashiedu Keteke.
Notable areas such as the Korle Woko Electoral Area and London Market have already seen significant interventions.
“The AMA has covered key flood-prone areas in Okaikoi and Ablekuma South, and work is ongoing in Ashiedu Keteke…This is helping reduce the likelihood of intermediate flooding during the rains,” the statement added.
The Assembly disclosed that it was working closely with the Hydrological Services Authority to dredge the Odaw Channel—Accra’s main storm water conduit—to ensure unimpeded water flow during rainfall.
Additionally, the statement noted that the Assembly was leveraging the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project to undertake large-scale desilting of critical drainage basins.
These operations, the statement noted was intended to boost the hydraulic performance of the city’s drains and avert water stagnation and overflows during downpours.
“As part of the broader flood mitigation framework, plans are also underway to collaborate with the Urban Roads Department to expand key drainage systems from 0.6 meters to 0.9 metres to accommodate growing volumes of runoff due to rapid urbanisation,” the statement stated.
The statement urged residents, stakeholders, and community leaders to actively participate in the summit and related activities to build a cleaner, safer, and climate-resilient Accra.
“We must all take collective responsibility for the safety and future of our city,” the statement concluded.
The Accra Regional Police Command has arrested former professional boxer Michael Ayitey Okai, popularly known as “Ayitey Powers,” over an alleged threat of death against the Director-General of the National Sports Authority, Yaw Ampofo.
According to the Police, the 46-year-old former boxer was arrested on Monday, August 24, 2026, in connection with the alleged threat.
The Police said the arrest followed a video circulating on social media in which Ayitey Powers is alleged to have issued the threat against Mr Ampofo.
He is currently in Police custody and is assisting with investigations.
The Accra Regional Police Command said investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged threat and determine the appropriate action to be taken in accordance with the law.
The Command has urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified information about the matter while the investigation continues.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Minority Leader in Parliament Alexander Afenyo Markin has sued the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, and Multimedia Group Limited over alleged defamatory comments made against him on the Newsfile programme.
In a writ filed at the High Court in Accra, Mr Afenyo Markin is seeking GH¢15 million in damages, an apology and retraction of the statements, among other reliefs.
The suit follows comments allegedly made by Mr Gyamfi during the Saturday, August 22, 2026 edition of Newsfile, hosted by Samson Lardy Anyenini.
According to the statement of claim, Mr Gyamfi described Mr Afenyo Markin as an “extortionist” while responding to a question about GoldBod’s reported profits and its position on losses arising from its operations.
The plaintiff claims that Mr Gyamfi repeated the allegation when the host sought clarification on whether he stood by the description.
Mr Afenyo Markin further claims that Mr Gyamfi challenged him to sue him and insisted that the allegation was true.
The plaintiff argues that the statements created the impression that he engages in extortion, uses his political influence to put improper pressure on public institutions and officials, and conducts himself in a manner inconsistent with the standards expected of a lawyer and public office holder.
He denies the allegations and maintains that he is not an extortionist and has never engaged in the conduct alleged by Mr Gyamfi.
The Minority Leader also argues that the comments were made maliciously and were presented as facts without evidence being disclosed.
He claims the statements have damaged his reputation, professional standing and public image, particularly because of his position as a senior political figure and legal practitioner.
The suit also names Multimedia Group Limited as a defendant because, according to the plaintiff, the alleged defamatory comments were broadcast through JoyNews and subsequently circulated on social media platforms, including X, Facebook and YouTube.
Mr Afenyo Markin claims Multimedia failed to stop the comments or deactivate Mr Gyamfi’s microphone after the allegations were made.
He is therefore asking the court to award him general, aggravated and exemplary damages, as well as GH¢15 million in compensation and legal costs.
He is also seeking an order compelling the defendants to issue a full, unconditional and unequivocal retraction and public apology.
The plaintiff wants the apology and retraction to be given similar prominence and reach as the original publication, including through JoyNews and the social media platforms where the comments were disseminated.
He is further seeking a permanent injunction preventing the defendants from repeating the alleged defamatory statements or words with a similar meaning.
The writ requires the defendants to enter an appearance within eight days after being served.
It warns that failure to do so could result in judgment being entered in their absence.
The case was filed by lawyer Paa Kwesi Abaidoo of Dehyena Chambers on behalf of Mr Afenyo Markin.
By: Jacob Aggrey
