The Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has signed a charter to formalize the city’s membership in the Ocean Rise and Coastal Resilience Coalition for Cities and Regions, reinforcing Accra’s commitment to climate adaptation and the protection of coastal communities vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
The Ocean Rise and Coastal Resilience Coalition is a voluntary global platform that supports coastal cities and regions in leading climate adaptation efforts. It offers access to scientific research, indigenous knowledge, data tools, and sustainable development models.
“The signing of this charter is a commitment to building a resilient future for our coastal communities.
“Through this coalition, we are joining hands with cities and experts around the world to share knowledge, secure financing, and implement proven strategies that can help us protect lives, infrastructure, and ecosystems”
Michael Kpakpo Allotey, Mayor Of Accra
While membership comes without legal obligations or fees, participating cities pledge to implement actionable adaptation projects, regulate coastal activities, and share best practices across borders.
The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) officially joined the coalition in a signing ceremony held to strengthen cooperation between the city and the French government, with a particular focus on climate resilience, heritage preservation, and urban sanitation.
The event was attended by the French Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Jules-Armand Aniambossou, a delegation from the French Embassy, and AMA’s Coordinating Director, Mr Douglas N.K. Annoful.
The Mayor expressed hope that Accra’s engagement with the coalition would establish the city as a reference point for coastal resilience in West Africa. He cited the need to intensify efforts in vulnerable low-lying areas, which are increasingly at risk from rising sea levels and extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change.
“We have partnered with the Accra Metropolitan Assembly for over four to five years, and while we’ve achieved a lot, I believe there is even more we can accomplish together,” stated French Ambassador Jules-Armand Aniambossou.
He praised the AMA for its consistent cooperation and emphasized that successful projects in Accra contribute positively to the entire country.
Ambassador Aniambossou also conveyed interest in the “conservation and promotion of Accra’s historical heritage,” particularly its colonial-era monuments, stressing their importance to cultural identity and urban character.
Strategies Strengthened
Executive Secretary to the Mayor, Mr. Alfred Frimpong, outlined plans aimed at transforming the city into one of the cleanest globally through the “24-Hour Clean Accra Now” campaign. The initiative is structured around three operational shifts daily, ensuring consistent and thorough sanitation practices throughout the metropolis.
As part of the sanitation strategy, Mr. Frimpong revealed that the AMA will introduce City Authority Guards tasked with enforcing environmental by-laws and curbing indiscriminate littering.
Additionally, the initiative will emphasize public education on waste segregation to feed into newly proposed recycling plants.
Mr. Victor Kotey, Deputy Director of Waste Management at AMA, pointed to concrete outcomes from the longstanding AMA-France collaboration. He announced the selection of Palace Street in the Okai Koi South Sub-Metro as the pilot site for a “Zéro Waste Street” project, which is expected to launch between the end of June and mid-July 2025.
The AMA stated that this pilot will serve as a blueprint for similar interventions in other parts of Accra, as part of a citywide ambition to merge urban development with environmentally responsible practices.
The Assembly confirmed that the French partnership continues to “provide valuable technical support and insight,” particularly in the design and rollout of projects aimed at achieving long-term sustainability goals.
According to the AMA, the charter signing with the Ocean Rise and Coastal Resilience Coalition is not merely symbolic but signals a deepened resolve to act decisively in the face of mounting environmental challenges.
In attendance at the event were Hon. Alfred Ato Allotey Gaisie, Municipal Chief Executive of Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly; Ing. Mr. Solomon Noi, Director of Waste Management at AMA; Mr. Gilbert Nii Ankrah, Head of Public Affairs at AMA; Mr. Victor Kotey, Deputy Director of Waste Management at AMA; and Mr. Daniel Bentum, Protocol Officer to the Mayor of Accra.
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