In governance, leadership is as much about action as it is about accountability. Leadership demands not just the articulation of lofty ideals but the follow-through to ensure those ideals manifest in tangible outcomes.
On Sunday, September 7, 2025, Greater Accra Regional Minister Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo took a bold step by going on a fact-finding mission to Tudu, where she was met with a disturbing reality, a massive heap of uncollected waste, barely 100 kilometers from the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA). In her characteristic proactive style, the minister called for the immediate removal of the refuse within three hours, even sharing her frustration in a video posted on her Facebook page.
While her actions have drawn applause from some quarters for being decisive and hands-on, they have also ignited a critical conversation about leadership, responsibility, and the enduring sanitation challenges in Accra. I commend the minister’s intent and energy but ask: What does this incident truly reveal about the state of governance and accountability in the AMA? More importantly, where should the buck stop?
The filth in our backyard
The sight of heaps of waste in Tudu, a bustling hub of various businesses and a second cycle school, at the heart of Accra, is not merely an issue of aesthetics or hygiene. It is a glaring indictment of leadership and systems failure at multiple levels. Accra, not only the capital of Ghana but the heart of Ghana’s economy, should not be a city where waste piles up in public spaces, threatening public health and tarnishing the image of our capital. Yet, here we are, grappling with a problem that is as old as the city’s history itself.
The Greater Accra Minister’s frustration is understandable. After all, just weeks ago, in her engagement with Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), she was unambiguous in her expectations. “If you cannot manage this basic task, then you have no business occupying that office,” she said, adding that “too many of you are simply sleeping on the job.”
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She was right then, and she is right now. Waste management is one of the most basic, yet critical, responsibilities of city authorities. It should not take the intervention of a regional minister to address such an issue.
The AMA Mayor: sleeping on the job?
The role of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly Mayor is pivotal in ensuring a clean and functional city. If waste is allowed to pile up in public spaces, it raises serious questions about the mayor’s competence and priorities. Is the AMA Mayor managing the basic task of keeping the AMA jurisdiction clean? Or is the mayor, as the minister has suggested, simply enjoying the perks of office while delivering little in terms of results?
This is not an isolated incident. Across Accra, sanitation remains a persistent challenge, and the AMA’s leadership has often fallen short in addressing it. Markets, bus terminals, and public spaces are frequently littered with refuse, despite the numerous sanitation programs and policies that have been announced over the years. If the AMA Mayor cannot handle the fundamental task of waste collection, it begs the question: Does he fit to hold his office? The people living within his catchment area deserve better than leaders who are content to maintain the status quo.
Accountability: the buck stops with the minister
While commending the Greater Accra Regional Minister Linda Ocloo for her on-the-ground approach to governance, it is important to recognize that the ultimate responsibility for the region’s governance rests with her. As the regional minister, she is not only a leader but also a supervisor of the MMDCEs within her jurisdiction. The failings of the AMA Mayor reflect, to some extent, the broader governance framework under her watch.
Could the minister have done more in this instance? Some argue that she should have included the AMA Mayor in her tour, allowing him to witness firsthand the lapses in sanitation management. Others suggest that a direct call to the mayor, instructing immediate action, might have been more effective than a public appeal. These are valid points, and they highlight the need for a more collaborative and strategic approach to governance.
A call for systemic change
The incident at Tudu is a symptom of a larger problem: a lack of accountability and urgency in addressing the sanitation challenges in Accra. It is not enough to react to crises as they arise; there must be a proactive, systemic approach to waste management.
Closing thoughts
I believe that leadership is about results, not rhetoric. The Minister’s actions at Tudu demonstrate her commitment to addressing the sanitation challenges in Accra. However, this commitment must translate into systemic changes that ensure such incidents do not recur.
The AMA Mayor and other local leaders must be held accountable for their performance. If they cannot manage the basic task of waste collection, they have no business occupying their offices.
The heaps of waste at Tudu and other parts of the capital, are more than just a sanitation issue; they are a test of leadership. The people of Accra, and to a large extent, Ghana deserve leaders who are not only proactive but also effective. It is time for all stakeholders—local leaders, citizens, and the regional minister herself—to step up and ensure that Accra becomes the clean and vibrant city WE WANT. The time to RESET is NOW!
The author of this piece is Bright Yao Dzakah. He is a journalist with the Ignite Media Group.
