The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has reclaimed an abandoned open space at the Alajo–Avenor intersection as part of efforts to improve sanitation and promote urban beautification.

The Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, led a team of sanitation and environmental health officers from the Okaikoi South Sub-Metropolitan District to clear overgrown vegetation and solid waste from the site.

The exercise began in the early hours of the day and covered the triangular parcel, which measures 2,473.15 square metres. The team removed weeds and accumulated refuse to improve sanitation around the busy junction.

Speaking during the operation, the Mayor said the area had been left unattended for a long period, contributing to the large volume of waste evacuated from the site.

He explained that the exercise forms part of the Assembly’s broader efforts to restore cleanliness, reduce public health risks and prevent neglected public spaces from becoming informal dumping grounds.

The Mayor said the Assembly would continue to work with sister Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to maintain similar locations. He also urged residents and businesses to support the initiative by avoiding indiscriminate dumping.

He called on companies, institutions and organised groups to adopt and maintain open spaces across the city.

According to him, the Assembly is proposing a collaborative arrangement that would allow corporate bodies and institutions to take responsibility for designated areas, develop them into attractive green spaces and sustain routine maintenance.

He explained that the adoption initiative is aimed at encouraging shared responsibility in the upkeep of public spaces, while promoting community wellbeing through greener and well-maintained environments.

Beyond beautification, he said the adopted spaces could also serve as platforms for public education and awareness programmes, including activities focused on environmental protection and climate change mitigation.

He added that the Assembly would recognise participating organisations by naming adopted spaces after them, a move he said would encourage long-term commitment and strengthen civic pride.

According to the Mayor, organisations that sign on to the initiative would be expected to undertake activities such as planting and maintaining gardens, installing landscaping features and supporting periodic clean-up exercises in their adopted areas.

He disclosed that open spaces available for adoption include the Dr Kwame Nkrumah Triangle and the SSNIT Roundabout at Circle, the ECG Makola Triangle, Highways Triangle, Fan Milk Roundabout, Awudome Roundabout, Avenor Triangle, St Mary’s Triangle, Cocoa Clinic Roundabout and the COCOBOD median, as well as selected road shoulders across the metropolis.