AMA Intensifies Decongestion Drive with Enforcement Patrols Across Accra
The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service and national security personnel stepped up its decongestion campaign on Thursday by shifting focus to enforcement and monitoring of previously cleared areas.
Led by the Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo, AMA officials deployed teams across key parts of the capital including the Kwame Nkrumah Circle and the Central Business District to prevent the return of street vendors, unauthorized structures and transport operators who had been evicted earlier in the week.
The intensified operation follows two days of active clearing that saw the removal of makeshift stalls, illegal kiosks, and street hawkers from pedestrian walkways, road medians, and public spaces. Thursday’s exercise marked a critical phase in the city-wide initiative, aiming not just to restore order, but to ensure long-term compliance.
This is not a one-time exercise, Mayor Kpakpo stated during the patrol. “We are committed to maintaining law and order across Accra. We’ve restored access to public spaces, and we will ensure that these efforts are not reversed.”
At multiple checkpoints along Ring Road, Rawlings Park, Tudu and other high-traffic zones, AMA task force members engaged with traders and commuters, educating them on the importance of compliance while also issuing warnings to potential offenders.
Hotspots such as the Kaneshie footbridge recently hailed for its successful clearance were also monitored, reinforcing the AMA’s resolve to prevent reoccupation of strategic infrastructure meant for pedestrian safety.
Residents and commuters welcomed the enforcement efforts, expressing hope that the sustained action would improve safety, cleanliness, and mobility in the capital. For the first time in years, I can actually walk freely on this road without being pushed into traffic, said a pedestrian near the Tudu intersection.
However, some traders expressed concern about the lack of alternative trading spaces. In response, AMA officials reiterated that steps are being taken to relocate displaced vendors to designated markets within the Accra metropolis.
As the AMA continues its decongestion campaign, authorities are calling on the public to support the initiative by respecting city regulations and preserving the improvements made so far.
The exercise forms part of a broader urban renewal strategy aimed at transforming Accra into a cleaner, safer, and more organized city for all residents.