Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has asked traders who sell in the road median within the Central Business District, specifically in front of the COCOBOD office, not to return to the place, henceforth.
According to him, their presence in the area predisposes them to being crushed by the numerous buses that ply the route.
Mr Alottey gave the order when he visited the area after an accident on September 1, 2025.
The accident, involving and Aayalolo Bus, claimed the life of one person and injured several others.
Upon being briefed on the situation, the Mayor directed traders to vacate the pavements immediately.
“From tomorrow morning, nobody should come and sell here again,” he ordered.
“Anytime I ask you to leave this place, you say you are single mothers, now one of you is dead,” he pointed out.
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.
Eyewitnesses said that the Aayalolo bus experienced brake failure and rammed into traders.
The accident, which occurred just before 6:00pm, happened at a time when shoppers had gathered in the area to board vehicles home.
Eyewitnesses reported that the bus 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.
