Mr. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, Chief Executive Officer of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), has affirmed that the ongoing decongestion exercise in Accra will be a sustained campaign, not a “nine-day wonder.”
He assured the public that the Assembly is fully committed to a long-term strategy aimed at keeping the city’s streets clear and orderly.
Addressing the media alongside Mr Alfred Ato Allotey-Gaisie, Municipal Chief Executive of the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly (KoKMA), Mr Allotey reaffirmed their joint commitment to restoring sanity and order in the Central Business District.
He noted that the AMA task force, city guards, and the police will continue to support the effort.
“I don’t make promises without keeping them. We are going to be on the street till we make sure that the roads are cleared. My brother from KoKMA and I have done a good job, but we are not done yet,” he said.
Mr. Allotey noted that the long-term benefits—reduced traffic, improved sanitation, and increased safety—far outweighed the short-term inconveniences.
The decongestion team has cleared areas including Accra Technical University, Tudu, Kinbu Senior High School, Makola, Rawlings Park, China Lane, Kantamanto, Ghana School of Law, and surrounding areas.
“We want to assure users of these roads that we shall continue with this exercise till the end of the year to ensure that the streets are not taken over by traders,” Mr. Allotey-Gaisie assured.
“We had to visit certain places three times before they were cleared. We are looking at the spaces to see where we can relocate them. We are also examining large pavements that can accommodate pedestrians and traders so that we demarcate the selling space,” he added.
Public reactions have been mixed, with some residents applauding AMA’s bold steps, while affected traders voiced frustration over the lack of affordable trading spaces.
“It’s so refreshing walking through the streets of Accra. We commend the mayor. We have suffered too much insult and humiliation anytime we protest. This is the Accra we want,” a shopper, Theresa Ama Dokua, said.
Another trader, Maame Patricia Ahoufe, appealed for understanding, saying, “We agree that our trading activities disturb vehicular and human movement, but the mayor must temper justice with mercy.”
“He should take it cool on us because we have nowhere to go and trade. I am not too well. We are ready to abide by the rules,” she said.
Miss Regina Mordy, a banker, expressed her relief at the exercise, saying, “Walking through the business streets of Accra is no longer a headache.”
The Kinbu-Tudu stretch was once packed with goods, vehicles, truck pushers, and traders—but that has changed. Now, I can actually feel the sea breeze,” she stated.
The decongestion exercise targets illegal structures, street hawkers, and unauthorised trading activities that obstruct pedestrian walkways and vehicular movement.
GNA
