The Ahanta West Municipal Assembly in the Western Region has announced a series of measures to enforce discipline within the municipality’s Central Business District and other major public spaces.
The measures include decongestion exercises, demolition of illegal structures, spot fines, and strict enforcement of designated “pick-and-load” points to ensure a clean, safe, orderly and congestion-free municipality.
Assistant Quantity Surveyor at the Assembly’s Works Department, John Ben Aidoo, warned that recalcitrant drivers, transport operators, shop owners and traders could face legal action or have their properties and wares confiscated.
In a directive issued to traders and property owners, Mr. Ben Aidoo cautioned persons occupying unauthorised trading spaces, gutters, pavements, car stations and lorry parks to vacate such areas immediately.
He also directed the removal of containers placed on pavements and any structures erected at bus stops or designated loading points.
“Drivers loading passengers at unauthorised locations, engaging in ‘pick-and-go’ operations or sweeping activities between My Brother Shop and Ahantaman Rural Bank, as well as those stopping at roundabouts to load and offload passengers, must cease these activities forthwith. Loading passengers at bus stops would not be permitted except after 6:00 p.m.”
Mr. Ben Aidoo further announced that any person who offloads goods between 5:59 a.m. and 5:59 p.m. would be liable to a fine of GH¢2,000. According to him, goods should only be offloaded between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. to help reduce traffic congestion during the day.
The Assembly’s decongestion task force has already begun demolishing illegal structures along principal streets and in front of shops within the Central Business District. The exercise has, however, generated dissatisfaction among some traders.
Some traders accused the Assembly of applying the exercise selectively. “In some instances, property owners are allowed to remove their wares before the machines move in, while in other cases structures are demolished without prior notice. We support efforts to decongest the market, but the exercise must be carried out carefully to avoid unnecessary damage to properties and goods,” one trader lamented.
Responding to the concerns, Mr. Ben Aidoo assured the public that the exercise would be enforced fairly and without favour. “On our part, we will work within the confines of the Assembly’s bylaws, and we expect traders and all affected persons to comply accordingly.”
By Eric Yaw Adjei
