Accra to mark 10th Anniversary of June 3rd Disaster with climate summit and citywide clean-up

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) is marking the 10th anniversary of the June 3rd Twin Disaster. They will hold a citywide climate summit and sanitation campaign. This event aims to highlight the urgent need for climate action and urban resilience.

The announcement came from the Head of Public Affairs at AMA. It was made on behalf of Accra's Mayor, Michael Kpakpo Allotey.

The summit is scheduled for Tuesday, June 3, 2025. It will take place at the Omanye Aba Hall of the AMA at 10:00 a.m. The theme is “June 3rd, A Stern Reminder of Climate Inaction.” The event will reflect on failures that led to the 2015 tragedy and support ongoing adaptation measures.

The AMA is partnering with Youth Climate Advocates for this event. This collaboration is part of Phase II of the Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF). This program empowers young people to contribute to climate solutions in their communities.

This year’s anniversary offers a chance to recommit to climate actions. The summit will include targeted climate awareness campaigns in schools and stakeholder engagements. There will also be a major citywide clean-up exercise led by YCAF micro-grantees.

The clean-up will focus on desilting gutters and clearing plastic waste. It aims to enhance community participation in sanitation efforts. The goal is to deepen environmental consciousness at the grassroots level.

As part of its long-term strategy, the Assembly outlined ongoing interventions against urban flooding. These efforts aim to strengthen Accra’s resilience to extreme weather events.

The statement noted that routine maintenance has intensified for drains across three sub-metropolitan areas: Okaikoi South, Ablekuma South, and Ashiedu Keteke. Key flood-prone areas like Korle Woko Electoral Area and London Market have seen significant improvements.

“The AMA has covered key flood-prone areas in Okaikoi and Ablekuma South,” said the statement. Work continues in Ashiedu Keteke to reduce flooding during rains.

The Assembly is collaborating with the Hydrological Services Authority on dredging projects. They are focusing on ensuring unimpeded water flow during rainfall in Accra’s main stormwater conduit, the Odaw Channel.

Additionally, they are using the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project for large-scale drainage improvements. These operations aim to boost drain performance and prevent water stagnation during heavy rains.

Plans are underway to work with the Urban Roads Department as well. They intend to expand key drainage systems from 0.6 meters to 0.9 meters due to increased runoff from rapid urbanization.

The statement urged residents, stakeholders, and community leaders to participate actively in these activities. Together, they can build a cleaner, safer, and climate-resilient Accra.

“We must all take collective responsibility for our city's safety,” it concluded.