Accra: The Union of Informal Workers Associations (UNIWA) has declared its full support for the Accra Metropolitan Assembly’s (AMA) decision to close shops and markets on Saturday, October 4, to mark the first National Sanitation Day clean-up exercise.

According to Ghana News Agency, in a statement signed by Mr Enoch K. Bioh, General Secretary of UNIWA, the Union welcomed the directive and called on its members to actively participate in the nationwide exercise. UNIWA, which represents thousands of informal sector workers, including traders, artisans, market women, and service providers, emphasised that a clean environment was essential to public health, sustainable business operations, and community well-being.

The statement highlighted that the initiative was not merely about cleaning surroundings, but also about instilling discipline, civic responsibility, and a collective commitment to safeguarding the environment. The union urged all members to show up in their numbers with tools and enthusiasm, adding that their participation would demonstrate that informal workers were not only vital to the economy but also responsible citizens who cared about the environment.

UNIWA further pledged its continued collaboration with the AMA and other government agencies in future initiatives that promoted public health, environmental sustainability, and the dignity of labour. The union expressed confidence that through collective efforts, a cleaner, safer, and more prosperous city could be created for all.