The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has called for science-led action to address environmental health risks and protect communities across the capital.

The call was made as the AMA joins the global community to mark World Environmental Health Day 2026 under the theme, “Environmental Health: Standing with Science to Protect Communities.”

The AMA’s Metro Public Health Department said scientific evidence must guide policy, enforcement and community-level interventions, particularly in addressing sanitation, food safety, waste management, flooding, air pollution and rising temperatures.

Director of the Metro Public Health Department, Florence Kuukyi, said evidence should translate into practical action that improves public health.

“Science must not remain in reports and research papers. It must guide the decisions we make, the services we deliver and the actions we take to protect people,” she said.

The department reported that it has reached 29,408 of 62,386 premises in the metropolis, representing about 47 per cent coverage. It also screened 9,195 food handlers, with 8,822 certified and 373 referred for further attention.

As part of its interventions, the department has educated food businesses, schools and markets on environmental health and sanitation. It has also prosecuted 262 sanitation offenders and installed 13 air-quality monitoring sensors.

The AMA said continued public cooperation is essential, urging residents to dispose of waste responsibly, maintain proper hygiene, avoid open burning and follow public health guidance during periods of flooding and extreme heat.

“Protecting communities begins with evidence and succeeds when we turn that evidence into everyday action,” Ms Kuukyi added.

The AMA said strengthening the connection between scientific evidence, local decision-making and community practice remains critical to building a cleaner, healthier and more resilient Accra.

World Environmental Health Day is marked each year globally to highlight the role of environmental health services in protecting public health.