Accra Metropolitan Assembly Doubles Street Sweepers’ Allowance to GH₵800 to Boost Sanitation and Employment

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has announced a significant 100% increase in the monthly allowance for street sweepers, effectively doubling their pay from GH₵400 to GH₵800. This initiative, announced by the Mayor of Accra, Michael Nii Kpakpo Allotey, is a strategic effort to enhance the city's sanitation management while simultaneously addressing the pressing issue of urban youth unemployment. By offering a more competitive wage, the assembly aims to attract a younger demographic into the sanitation workforce, a sector that has historically struggled with recruitment and retention due to low remuneration.

Beyond improving the livelihoods of individual workers, the wage hike is designed to professionalize the sanitation sector in the capital. Mayor Allotey emphasized that fair compensation is crucial for motivating workers and improving the overall quality of service delivery. This initiative also directly aligns with the government’s broader rollout of the 24-Hour Economy policy. Under this framework, sanitation services in Accra are expected to transition into a continuous, around-the-clock operation. This shift not only ensures a cleaner environment for residents but also creates more shifts and opportunities for those seeking stable employment in the public sector.

Looking ahead, Mayor Allotey has urged other metropolitan, municipal, and district assemblies (MMDAs) across Ghana to adopt similar measures to stimulate local economies and reduce the prevalence of informal, precarious employment among the youth. He believes that recognizing the dignity of sanitation work through better pay is essential for national development. As Accra takes this leading step, the move is seen as a critical test for the sustainability of sanitation reforms and the practical implementation of the 24-Hour Economy model at the local government level.