AMA, KoKMA begin decongestion exercise in Accra
The bold decision by the Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, to decongest the central business district (CBD) of the city switched into full gear in the early hours of yesterday to crack down on illegal traders in public spaces.
A joint task-force by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly (KoKMA) moved in at dawn to remove unauthorised structures and traders from pavements, footbridges, road shoulders, and other rights of way that obstruct pedestrian and vehicular movement in the city.
The exercise is part of a three-day programme to declutter the capital, create sufficient space and reduce traffic for a sustainable and vibrant city.
It commenced with a sweeping decongestion exercise across some commercial areas in Accra, starting at Kinbu, Tudu, Makola, Rawlings Park, Circle, Kaneshie and its environs.
The move is in accordance with the AMA Hawkers Bye-Laws (2017) and Section 117(1) of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2180).
Situation
During the exercise, the Mayor visited the VIP Jeoun Transport terminal, near the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange, and was appalled by the poor sanitary conditions there, which included a heap of rubbish and a leaking sewage system in the washrooms.
Mr Allotey demanded an immediate cleanup and gave officials up to Monday to address the situation.
In response, the General Manager of the terminal, Ernest Adakabre Frimpong Manso, acknowledged the unsanitary conditions and took full responsibility for them.
He said that although staff had been assigned to maintain cleanliness, they had clearly failed in their duties and, therefore, assured the Mayor that immediate steps would be taken to improve conditions.
Outcome
The aftermath of the exercise has led to significant transformation of the city from the AMA head office, through Kinbu, Tudu, to Makola.
Seized structures loaded onto the a truck en route to the AMA office
The streets were visibly more spacious, following the evacuation of traders from the pavements, allowing for a smooth flow of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Shoppers, who hitherto struggled to navigate the congested walkways, were seen walking freely.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, a pedestrian, Theresa Owusu, commended the Mayor and his team and said “this should continue to keep the place free and clean. Sometimes, I even fight with traders due to the congestion. Now I can walk in peace”.
A Yango driver, Christian Adja, who plies his trade in the Tudu area, said he used to spend almost an hour wading through the congestion at Tudu, “but today, the road is clear and smooth for us to move in and out quickly”.
At the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange, traders who used to sell their products around the Obra Spot were cleared as part of efforts to decongest the capital and ensure a free flow of traffic.
However, some traders who sold on pavements at the GCB Bank end were spotted doing brisk business on the pavements despite hindering the movement of pedestrians, reports Juliet Akyaa Safo.
Mixed reactions
On the Graphic Road, Godiva Eduafowah Mensah and Priscilla Mamle Tsawe report that pavements along the Accra Brewery stretch to the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) head office were cleared of street vendors.
The task force moving along the Accra Regional Police Headquarters street in the bucket of the pickup truck
During an interaction with the Daily Graphic, some traders and shoppers expressed contrasting views about the exercise.
While the shoppers applauded the move for the ease of access, the affected vendors were frustrated about what they described as a disruption of their livelihoods.
Testimony, a unisex clothing seller, who lamented over his multiple sackings in a week, said the evictions had left him struggling, saying, "From 3 a.m. till now, I haven’t even sold one item."
Augustina, a vegetable seller, also expressed her dissatisfaction, explaining that she had been unable to work because moving her goods back and forth was too burdensome.
However, Rose, a pepper seller, supported the initiative, stating that although it had affected her, the market was previously overcrowded.
Commitment
The Accra Mayor said the assembly was committed to reclaiming public spaces. “This is not an idea; it’s action.
We’re on the streets now and will keep moving through the city, including Circle and Kaneshie, to ensure everyone understands that we are serious,” he said.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Korle Klottey, Alfred Allotey-Gaisie, also said that the exercise was not to necessarily displace people, but to identify suitable spaces within the city to resettle traders.
