The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) will fully roll out its long-anticipated street decongestion exercise in February, Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has announced, as authorities step up efforts to restore order on the city’s major roads.
Speaking in an interview, the Mayor said preparations are currently underway, with ongoing engagements involving queen mothers, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), the police and the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS).
He explained that these discussions are aimed at ensuring a coordinated and humane approach ahead of the full enforcement phase.
According to Mr Allotey, traders were given grace periods in December 2025 and January 2026 because of the festive season and its economic demands.
During this time, traders were expected to voluntarily relocate to their designated market spaces to reduce congestion on busy streets.
He noted that many street traders already have containers and allocated stalls in the markets, but often choose not to use them.
The Mayor attributed this to the belief that trading along the streets brings quicker sales, even though it creates safety risks for both traders and motorists.
Beyond trading activities, the Mayor also addressed public concerns about transport challenges in the capital, particularly vehicle shortages and recent fare hikes.
He described the increases as inappropriate for a densely populated city like Accra, where many residents rely on public transport daily.
“My outfit is working to bring additional buses into the system to help address the current transport situation,” he said.
Mr Allotey added that authorities have already taken action against some drivers who abused fares.
Instead of jail terms, offenders were sanctioned to provide free rides to passengers for three days, a decision he said was taken to avoid worsening the shortage of commercial vehicles.
The Mayor appealed to traders and transport operators to cooperate with city authorities, stressing that the decongestion exercise is intended to improve safety, traffic flow and the overall image of the capital.
