The Accra Metropolitan Assembly is set to begin a decongestion exercise on February 1 in selected parts of the capital city as part of efforts to make Accra cleaner and restore order on the streets.
This will not be the first time the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) embarks on a decongestion exercise.
Previous attempts have failed due to the lack of enforcement by the Assembly.
Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo, addressing the media at a stakeholders and media press conference, said the Christmas festivities provided enough grace period for traders to sell their wares.
She said, “We were a little bit relaxed because of the Xmas festivity. Because you know traders, some went for loans to buy their stuff so that they will be able to sell and get some profit to take care of their house. Christmas is over and I believe whatever they bought has been sold. So, this time around, we will make sure that they adhere to the red line. That’s all.”
She further explained that all these are part of efforts to restore the glory of the city.
“Accra looks as if, it has been neglected. Initially, when you come to Greater Accra, you see that this is the centre of government. Nowadays, we’ve relaxed, and in fact, they are destroyed. And so we want to bring back its beauty.”
The Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, said this particular decongestion exercise will be sustained.
“We beg them. They should all listen to what we are saying. This is the first time that we are having a big decongestion that we make a red line. We have a red line for you to sell behind the line. That shows that we understand their pain. We understand that not everybody can have money to rent a shop. We are building affordable shops that will be ready soon. The Police are ready. The Fire Service is ready. Immigration is ready. Everybody is ready for this decongestion,” he added.
Traders are being advised to keep off pedestrian walkways, footbridges, and other red-line zones, which will be marked as no-trading areas once the decongestion begins.
Some of the areas where the decongestion will happen include, Korle-Klottey, Ayawaso Central, Tudu, Ablekuma Central and other districts within the city.
