An unannounced enforcement and monitoring exercise has been carried out at the Old Agbogbloshie Onion Market and surrounding scrapyard to assess compliance with environmental regulations and public safety directives.

The exercise, conducted yesterday, was led in collaboration with the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), the Ablekuma Central Municipal Assembly and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO).

During the tour, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo,  identified several violations requiring urgent intervention. At Old Agbogbloshie, officials observed an unauthorised return of yam traders to the site, despite earlier directives for evacuation.

More worrying was the discovery of scrap dealers engaged in the illegal burning of rubber and electronic waste, a practice authorities say poses serious respiratory health risks to nearby residents and causes significant environmental damage.

Addressing traders and scrap dealers at the site, officials issued a final notice for all occupants to vacate the area by next month.

They were advised to relocate their goods immediately to avoid forfeiture during an impending clearance exercise.

The enforcement team also inspected scrapyard facilities operated by N-Nest Metal Company and BlancoMet-Recycling as part of efforts to promote transparency and accountability within the scrap metal industry.

The inspections uncovered a cache of specialised cables and transformer components suspected to be stolen state assets.

Technical experts from the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) were invited to verify the items and confirmed that they included ECG underground cables and critical transformer parts, which are state property and not permitted for commercial trade.

Authorities say the possession and trade of such items contribute directly to power disruptions and economic sabotage.

Both N-Nest Metal Company and BlancoMet-Recycling have been cited for complicity in the procurement and possession of stolen public infrastructure.

The Greater Accra Regional Co-ordinating Council has indicated that it is working with relevant security agencies to ensure that the management of the two companies face the full rigours of the law.

Officials reiterated that the destruction or theft of public utility infrastructure will not be tolerated, stressing the government’s commitment to environmental protection, public safety and the rule of law.

The enforcement exercise forms part of broader efforts to build a cleaner, safer and more orderly Greater Accra Region.