The Mayor of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has announced plans to amend the AMA’s bye-laws to address urban heat risks directly and formally recognise heat as a public health risk.
He made this announcement on Monday in Accra, noting that extreme heat would get a legal response in Ghana’s capital.
The decision follows a review of the Assembly’s Resilience Strategy, Medium-Term Development Plan (2026–2029), and current regulations, which found major gaps in how the city handles extreme heat as a growing public health threat.
It would also give the AMA legal backing to roll out and enforce heat-related measures during extreme weather events.
The new provisions would focus on key sectors such as safety in markets, transport terminals, and temporary structure places where outdoor workers and residents face the highest exposure.
Mayor Allotey said the reforms are part of a wider push to update the city’s regulations to match climate realities and protect vulnerable groups across Accra.
Faustina Naa Ayele Johnson -ISD
