News
Engagement; pledges 24-hour security, sanitation taskforce to transform Accra Metropolis
The new Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has held his maiden stakeholder engagement with key interest groups in the capital, pledging to work to reset Accra’s development trajectory and make the city cleaner, safer, and more inclusive.
The engagement, held at the Omanye Aba Hall of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), on the Mayor’s second day in office, brought together market leaders, transport unions, representatives of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), Traditional Authorities, Civil Society Actors, and Assembly members to discuss challenges and explore opportunities for sustainable urban transformation.
Speaking at the event, Mayor Allotey expressed deep appreciation to the stakeholders for honouring the invitation and revealed plans to introduce a 24-hour city operation model, including a clean-up and security task force that would help improve sanitation and ensure safety, particularly for businesses operating late into the night.
“We’re bringing 24-hour security and a clean-up task force so that you will be able to work in the evening without fear, and we will create more employment opportunities through this approach,” he said.
The Mayor pledged to work closely with all groups to address them systematically, calling for unity and action.
He also promised that within six months, “our environment will be very clean, very tidy,” pointing out that the filth in Accra had become unacceptable and needed urgent attention.
The President of the Greater Accra Markets Association, Hon. Mercy Naa Afrowa Needjan, commended the Mayor for initiating the stakeholder engagement so early in his tenure and described the meeting as a much-needed familiarisation exercise that allowed market leaders to interact directly with the Mayor and offer first-hand accounts of conditions on the ground.
Mr. Needjan outlined several concerns facing markets across the capital, including rampant street trading, inadequate security, and deteriorating infrastructure in older market facilities.
“Street trading is one of our biggest problems, and some of our markets urgently need renovation. We know the problems can’t be solved in a day, but bit by bit, we believe improvements can be made,” she stated.
The Secretary General of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), Alhaji Alpha Shaban, described the meeting as a positive first step and emphasised the longstanding and inseparable partnership between GUTA and the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA).
Alhaji Shaban urged the Assembly to take a proactive approach by setting up a technical committee to verify the concerns raised during the meeting, to help build consensus and make the implementation of solutions more effective.
Representatives from the Timber Market lamented the long walking distances within the market space, stressing the need for improved infrastructure and accessibility.
Leaders of the Ghana Road Coordinating Council expressed concern about the deplorable state of many transport terminals across the city and called on the Assembly to lead efforts in standardising and upgrading these terminals for efficient operations.
Transport operators, including officials from the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and the Ghana Property Transport Association, expressed concerns over how drivers often struggle for space due to traders operating along the roadsides, leading to traffic congestion, delays, and increased fuel consumption.
Minister for Government Communications, Felix Ofosu Kwakye, has dismissed claims that staff salaries at the Presidency have increased under the current administration, describing the allegation as a “flat lie”.
In a response to a post on Facebook, Ofosu Kwakye said the current staff at the Presidency inherited the same salaries and conditions approved for their predecessors.
He argued that once arrears owed to former Article 71 office holders are paid, the total wage bill for the current administration will actually be lower due to a reduction in staff numbers.
“It is in fact a mathematical certainty that the total amount paid in salaries to the current staff will be smaller compared to yours once your arrears are paid because of the reduction in numbers,” he stated.
The Minister noted that delays in paying arrears to past Article 71 office holders are not new.
“Arrears owed to past Article 71 office holders is nothing new or unheard of. Many others before you have suffered same,” he said.
Ofosu Kwakye also stressed that the salaries and conditions in question were approved by Parliament on 6th January 2025, under the previous government.
He pointed out that the Constitution bars any changes to those salaries until a new committee is set up to determine emoluments for Article 71 office holders under the new administration.
“No such committee has been set up by President Mahama and no alteration has been made,” he clarified.
“So on what basis, apart from pure lies and mischief, can a claim of ballooning be made?” he concluded.
The response follows public debate over the size and cost of the presidential staff, with critics alleging a spike in the wage bill.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi and the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, has initiated plea negotiations with the Attorney General’s office in the GH₵30 million Exim Bank fraud case.
Information available to ghanaiantimes.com.gh indicates that lawyers for Bernard Antwi Boasiako aka Chairman Wontumi & 2 other accused have formally written to the Attorney General to enter into plea negotiations on the charges of defrauding by false pretenses, money laundering, and intentionally causing financial loss to a public body.
A plea bargain, under Section 162C of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) (Amendment) Act, 2022 (Act 1079), allows an accused person to plead guilty to lesser charges in exchange for a reduced sentence.
The agreement must be approved by the court after the Attorney General assesses factors such as the strength of evidence, recovery of state funds, and public interest.
Wontumi is facing four counts after his arrest by the Economic and Organised Crime Office in May 2025.
Prosecutors allege he used forged documents to secure a GH₵30 million facility from the Ghana Export-Import Bank to finance equipment for his mining company, Akonta Mining Ltd.
The state further charges him with money laundering and causing financial loss to the state.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and was granted GH₵50 million bail with two sureties. The case is currently before the Accra High Court.
The Attorney General’s office is yet to confirm whether negotiations will proceed.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
