The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has commenced a major decongestion exercise in the Central Business District (CBD), beginning with the re-demarcation of approved trading areas under its Red Line policy, which limits trading to designated spaces.
The operation started at about 4:00 a.m. on Sunday and focused on restoring order along key commercial corridors by clearly marking boundaries between approved trading zones and no-trading areas on pavements and roads.
The exercise also included a citywide clean-up, with teams washing streets and removing stones and other obstructions that had been placed on roads and walkways.
As part of the re-demarcation effort, the Assembly marked areas around the Liberty House branch of GCB Bank PLC at Kantamanto, extending along the pavement toward the Greater Accra Regional Police Command, as no-trading zones.
Speaking during the operation, the Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, said traders had been extensively engaged ahead of the exercise. He noted that roadside trading had been allowed to continue through the Christmas festivities and beyond to enable traders to benefit from the seasonal rush.
He explained, however, that the city could no longer tolerate the sale of goods on roads and certain pavements, describing the practice as a major contributor to congestion and disorder in the business district.
According to the Mayor, although space was available for traders within designated markets, many had refused to occupy them, opting instead to sell on streets and walkways.
With the festive season over, he said the Assembly was moving decisively to restore order by ensuring that trading activities take place only in approved locations.
Hon. Allotey emphasised that the decongestion exercise was not a one-day activity but a sustained programme that would run throughout the year as part of efforts to keep Accra clean and well organised.
He added that the AMA would enforce the Red Line policy consistently and warned that traders permitted to operate near pavements must strictly adhere to approved boundaries, as the Assembly maintains year-round enforcement.
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