The Mayor of Accra, Michael Allotey, has issued a final warning to unauthorized street traders, giving them until Tuesday, 20 May, to vacate pavements and major roads or face forced removal by city authorities.
Speaking at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) City Hall on Monday, Mr. Allotey said the Assembly will no longer tolerate illegal trading activities that obstruct pedestrian movement and worsen urban congestion.
“The streets are not for selling. They are places for cars, not for trade,” the mayor declared. “From the day I took office, I made a promise to keep my car clean. Today, I make that promise to all of us to keep this city clean.”
Mr. Allotey noted that pavements originally meant for pedestrians have been overtaken by hawkers, creating unsafe and unsanitary conditions in key commercial areas.
The mayor announced that enforcement would begin from Okaishie, extending through Circle and Kaneshie, with support from the police, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), and market associations.
“This is not a witch-hunt,” he said. “We’ve consulted stakeholders, and our goal is to improve urban mobility and safety for all.”
He warned that traders who fail to vacate voluntarily will be removed.
“We ask you, please, to move before we arrive. This is a promise I intend to keep. If by Tuesday you have not moved, we will have no choice but to remove you.”
The directive is part of a wider city decongestion effort aimed at restoring order and cleanliness to Accra’s streets.
The AMA has faced longstanding challenges with informal trading, particularly in high-traffic zones, where pedestrian walkways are routinely blocked by hawkers.
The mayor’s firm tone signals a shift toward more aggressive enforcement, with city authorities under pressure to tackle sanitation, urban sprawl, and road safety concerns.
Source: Myxyzonline.com
