Traffic Gridlock at Mallam Market: Mr. Woode Seeks Solutions

Mallam Market, a key intersection along the Accra–Cape Coast highway has become a serious traffic choke point affecting thousands of commuters daily. From early morning until late evening, the stretch from Kasoa, Weija-Gbawe and Mallam heading toward Kaneshie and the Accra Central Business District is often heavily congested. Vehicles coming from Elubo, Takoradi, Cape Coast and Mankessim are also caught in the gridlock as they try to enter the capital city.

The situation is not only frustrating for passengers and drivers, but it also brings with it a host of serious consequences, including:
• Economic Loss: Workers and traders lose valuable time and income due to delays.
• Environmental Pollution: Prolonged idling of vehicles increases air pollution.
• Health Problems: Commuters experience stress, fatigue, and respiratory challenges.
• Accidents and Safety Risks: The chaotic nature of the traffic raises the likelihood of collisions.
• Poor Quality of Life: People spend long hours in traffic instead of with their families or being productive.

Mr. Woode, a blogger and content creator operating under the brand names MrWoode.com and Mr. Woode Studios, decided to investigate the root cause of the congestion at Mallam Market. Upon visiting the area, he made several key observations.

He discovered that vehicles coming from Lapaz, Amasaman, Pokuase, and Baah Yard heading towards Dansoman and its environs use the Mallam Overpass, while those from Cape Coast and its surrounding regions heading towards Odorkor, Kaneshie, and Accra Central pass underneath. The convergence of these routes near Mallam Market creates a significant bottleneck.

To make matters worse, a group of commercial drivers has illegally converted a section of the roadside near the market into an informal lorry station, where they load passengers bound for Dansoman and other areas. This unlawful activity greatly reduces the flow of traffic and adds to the already existing congestion.

To address the matter officially, Mr. Woode reached out to the Greater Accra Regional Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Police Service, Superintendent Juliana Obeng, with the following questions:
1. What actions is the Ghana Police Service taking to address the illegal parking and loading by commercial drivers at Mallam?
2. Has there been any collaboration between the Ghana Police Service and the Municipal Assembly to decongest the area or enforce traffic laws?
3. What long-term solutions is the Police Service proposing to prevent traffic congestion in busy market areas like this?

Superintendent Juliana Obeng explained that she could not speak on the matter without clearance from her superiors as the police operate through a chain of command. She advised Mr. Woode to submit an official letter to the Ghana Police Service, which would then allow the matter to be officially addressed and responded to appropriately.

This development highlights the need for stronger coordination between law enforcement, local assemblies, and transport unions to solve the persistent problem of traffic congestion at Mallam Market. Until concrete steps are taken, commuters and businesses in the area will continue to bear the brunt of this growing crisis.

Mr. Woode as a content creator committed to public interest journalism he continues to advocate for sustainable urban planning and traffic management in Greater Accra and beyond.