The mayor of Accra talks with street vendors before Tuesday’s significant traffic-reduction effort.
In anticipation of a significant decongestion effort that is scheduled to start on Tuesday, May 20, Accra Mayor Michael Kpakpo Allotey has personally interacted with street vendors in several areas of the Central Business District today.
Along with the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly, Mayor Kpakpo Allotey visited several strategic locations in the city on Saturday to discuss new citywide commerce changes and make a request for cooperation.
In addition to other locations designated for clearance in the first phase of the operation, the engagement encompassed Kinbu Road, Kojo Thompson Road, Sempe Road, Swanzy Road, Guggisberg Avenue, Market Street, Okaishie Road, Kantamanto Street, Nsawam Road, and Paa Grant Street.
Speaking to the vendors and hawkers, Mayor Allotey emphasised that the activity was necessary and not an act of hostility, with the goal of cleaning Accra and making it a model city for the subregion.
We are here for good this morning; this is Ghana, not just Accra, and everybody who enters Ghana also enters Accra. Take a look around. Would you maintain this state if this were your house? He asked hawkers questions.
A new rotating trading system that would enable traders to sell for extended hours on specific days and the construction of solar-powered street lighting are just two of the measures the mayor announced during the event as part of the government’s 24-hour economy strategy.
He said, “We will block some parts of the roads three to four times a month so that you can trade for 24 hours. We will also fix solar lights that work even without electricity.”
In order to lessen the financial strain on traders, Mr. Allotey also presented a new ticketing policy, warning that those who fail to pay for their tickets will face consequences.
The declining value of the dollar should be reflected in your cost of conducting business, as we all know. We will lower your weekly ticket payment from GHS60.00 to GHS40.00. It will be lowered to GHS 20.00 if you pay GHS 30.00. And since you are a good citizen, I will reward you if you purchase two months’ worth of tickets and bring them to my office. “We will charge you ten times the actual price if we catch you not paying,” he said.
In order to restore order and sanitation, Mayor Allotey vehemently encouraged street vendors to leave by Tuesday.
“Please get off the street. I beseech you. We can clean the city after you get off the street. In order for three people to alternate in one location and sell for eight hours each, we will come and mark the area.
After the deadline, he warned, any goods remaining on the streets would be seized and given to orphanages or prisons.
“Your belongings won’t be returned to you if we come back on Tuesday and they’re still here,” he stated.
“We’ll distribute them to those in need. We are aware of your grievances, particularly the fact that other citizens are occupying your places. “We’ll address those concerns as well, and I’m interacting with the market leaders,” he promised.
“Help me to help you,” Mayor Allotey said to the traders in a call for cooperation. My doors are open around-the-clock. Don’t give anyone money to come see me. Simply enter my office.
Under the direction of President John Dramani Mahama, Mayor Kpakpo Allotey reaffirmed that the goal of the decongestion was to restore the capital to a cleaner, safer, and more equitable trading environment rather than to destroy livelihoods.
“We can sanitise this filthy city with your assistance. “Let’s turn Accra into a proud city,” the mayor declared. “This marks the start of something new.”
