Accra’s traders return to the streets days after AMA’s decongestion exercise

Just days after the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), under the leadership of the Mayor of Accra, Kpakpo Allotey undertook a decongestion exercise to clear traders from key streets in the central business district, the situation appears to have reverted to its chaotic state.

A visit to the area on Saturday, May 24, revealed that the principal streets cleared earlier in the week have once again been taken over by traders.

From the AMA head office through to the Ghana School of Law and the Makola Fire Station, the previously cleared spaces are now reoccupied with no visible presence of AMA task force officers to enforce the directive.

Initially, the exercise was met with encouraging compliance. The removal of street vendors had significantly improved vehicular flow, especially in busy zones such as Rawlings Park, Tudu, and its adjoining roads.

Drivers who plied the routes during the week shared their relief, noting the reduction in travel time.

“The traffic situation on Thursday was amazing. If I knew the traders had returned, I wouldn’t have used this road today,” a frustrated driver told our news team. “The assembly must not make this exercise a one-day wonder.”

Another driver expressed concern over the lack of enforcement during weekends, stating, “It seems laws don’t work on weekends in Ghana.” He urged the government to ensure consistency in enforcement to sustain the benefits of the decongestion exercise.

Similar scenes were observed at other commercial hotspots including Tudu, Timbu, Kaneshie, and Nkrumah Circle, where traders appeared to have resumed their activities without restriction.

The swift return of traders raises serious questions about the sustainability of the decongestion initiative. With no continued enforcement and visible lack of monitoring, many fear the efforts of the AMA may be in vain.

As residents and road users call for consistent and long-term enforcement strategies, the public is left to wonder: Was this the end of the decongestion exercise, or will the AMA respond with renewed action?

The post Accra’s traders return to the streets days after AMA’s decongestion exercise first appeared on 3News.

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