The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has arrested a 46-year-old coconut trader for allegedly using a public walkway and bus stop as an unauthorised place to store and sell his goods.
The Assembly identified the trader as Emmanuel Awotwi. Its enforcement team arrested him after finding more than 500 coconuts occupying a large section of a bus stop along the Professor John Evans Atta Mills High Street near the Arts Centre.
The AMA said the action violated its Control of Hawkers by-law (2017), which prohibits traders from obstructing the movement of pedestrians and vehicles.
According to the Assembly, Mr Awotwi had turned the bus stop, which is meant for vehicles to pick up and drop off passengers, into a storage and trading point without approval.
The AMA said it had previously educated traders and warned them against occupying public spaces for commercial activities.
Mr Awotwi explained that he normally transports coconuts from Takoradi to Accra for retailers around the Arts Centre area.
He said traders usually receive the coconuts at night before selling them the following day.
However, he said he could not distribute the entire consignment on the night before his arrest, leaving a large number of coconuts at the bus stop until the AMA enforcement officers arrived the next morning.
Speaking during the operation, Accra Mayor Michael Kpakpo Allotey criticised the growing practice of traders using bus stops, loading bays and other transport facilities to store and sell goods.
He said such activities interfere with public transport operations, inconvenience commuters and worsen congestion in the Central Business District (CBD).
The Mayor also expressed concern about the improper disposal of coconut husks by traders. He said some sellers dump the waste into drains, along roads and in other unauthorised areas, creating unhealthy conditions and blocking drainage channels.
Mr Allotey said the Assembly had repeatedly engaged coconut traders in the CBD and warned them against improper waste disposal and the unauthorised occupation of public spaces.
He urged traders, suppliers and transporters to use only approved markets and designated trading locations for their activities.
The Mayor warned that the AMA would arrest and prosecute anyone who continues to trade or store goods at bus stops, road reservations and other unauthorised public areas.
He stressed that keeping Accra clean, safe and orderly requires the cooperation of traders, motorists, residents, transport operators, traditional leaders and other stakeholders.
