One person has been confirmed dead, while several others sustained injuries after an Aayalolo bus experienced brake failure and rammed into traders in Accra.
The accident, which occurred just before 6:00pm on September 1, near the COCOBOD frontage, happened at a time when shoppers had gathered in the area to board vehicles home.
Eyewitnesses reported that the bus, which had developed a brake fault, drove into the crowd, killing a woman instantly. The Accra Regional Police Command is yet to identify the deceased, who is believed to have been in the area to shop.
Traders selling along the median pavement were also caught in the crash, sustaining injuries and losing their wares in the process. The damaged bus has since been towed from the scene.
Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, who visited the accident site to gather firsthand information, directed traders to vacate the pavements immediately.
“From tomorrow morning, nobody should come and sell here again,” he ordered.
The Mayor blamed the tragedy on traders who had extended their activities from the pavements onto the streets. He assured that the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) would strictly enforce by-laws to decongest the Central Business District and reduce such risks.
However, some traders expressed dissatisfaction with the directive, arguing that relocating to the Makola and Kwasiagwaso markets would negatively affect their livelihoods.
