Hawkers Risk Their Lives Selling on Highways in Accra Due to High Cost of Rent and Market Congestion
Street hawking remains a common sight in Accra, especially at major traffic intersections. Despite ongoing campaigns by the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) against road accidents, hawkers continue to sell under traffic lights on highways, raising serious safety concerns.
Several key areas in Accra, such as Baah Yard Traffic Light, Kwashieman Traffic Light, Lapaz Traffic Light, and Kaneshie First Light, have become popular spots for hawkers. These locations experience frequent traffic congestion, creating an opportunity for traders to sell directly to motorists.
In an interview with some hawkers at Baah Yard Traffic Light, they revealed the reasons why they prefer selling on the streets instead of renting shops or market stalls.
One hawker explained that renting a shop or store is too expensive, making it difficult for small traders to afford.
“The cost of renting a shop is too high, but in the traffic, there is no rent,” she said.
Another vendor stated that most market areas are overcrowded, leaving no space to even place a table for selling.
“Almost every market is choked, and you cannot find a place to put a table. That is why I prefer selling in the traffic,” she added.
Some traders also complained about unofficial taxes imposed by certain individuals who claim to be landowners.
“Apart from the tax we pay to the assembly, some people who are not from the district assembly come around in the market to collect unapproved taxes and even take some of our goods for free. That is why I prefer selling in the traffic,” one vendor lamented.
Despite the dangers of selling in the middle of highways, hawkers say they have no other option.
“It is risky to sell in the middle of the highway when the traffic light turns red, but that is the only way we can feed ourselves and our families,” one vendor stated.
The presence of hawkers on highways poses a significant road safety risk. While traders argue that economic hardship forces them to sell in traffic, authorities need to find sustainable solutions. Providing affordable market spaces, enforcing regulations, and addressing unauthorized tax collections in markets could help reduce the number of hawkers on highways.
As the NRSA continues its campaign against road accidents, it is crucial for both the government and local authorities to address the root causes driving hawkers onto the streets to ensure both their safety and that of road users.