As part of efforts to rid the country of filth, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA)has collaborated with the Ministry of Local Government and other stakeholders to roll out a vigourous free waste bin distribution project.

The project, which is also supported by Nawabin, a waste management company, was launched at Mantse Agbona, in the Ngleshi Alata community in Accra on Wednesday.

Beneficiaries of the free waste bins would register with Nawabin at a cost of GH₵20 to ensure identification and  collection of wastes.

Accra Mayor, Alfred  Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, said the project is part of ongoing efforts to ensure cholera outbreak in Accra and other parts of the country is adequately tackled.

Five regions have so far been hit by the cholera outbreak, and they include, Greater Accra – which is the worst hit – Central, Eastern, Upper West and the Northern regions.

According to the Ghana Health Service, the reported infected cases are about 5,308 and these figures are rising by the day. So far the disease has claimed 67 lives, giving a death rate of 1.5%.

Filth and unsanitory conditions have been major fuels for cholera outbreak in the affected areas.

The Accra Mayor said unlike in the past where some beneficiaries of a previous free waste bin distribution project converted the waste bins into water containers and other unconventional uses, the AMA will this time clamp down on persons who attempt using the bins for other purposes.

He said “over 200 public cameras have been installed at vantage points across the city to catch persons who also steal waste bins” placed at bus stops and other locations.

Paramount Chief James Town, Nii Kojo Ababio V lauded the Mayor and the stakeholders for the timeliness of the project and urged the Ga Traditional Council to collaborate with leadership of communities in the Accra metropolis to stop waste bin thefts and encourage people to use the bins appropriately.

The AMA will on Thursday distribute some of the free waste bins to markets in the metropolis.