…as Traffic Nightmare Eases in Accra
Drivers, frustrated commuters, and even market shoppers in Accra’s bustling Central Market are showering praises on the newly appointed Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) Chief Executive, Mr. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, for his swift and impactful decongestion exercise.
Just days into his tenure, Allotey’s initiative is already bringing much-needed relief, untangling traffic snarls and easing movement across the city.
The ongoing operation, now in its second day, is a joint effort by the AMA task force, National Security, and the Ghana Police Service, targeting notorious congestion hotspots like the Kwame Nkrumah Circle Neoplan Station.
This city-wide push, officially launched on Tuesday, May 20th, aims to dismantle unauthorized structures, remove street vendors, and enforce crucial sanitation and traffic regulations.
The Environmental Health Officer overseeing the AMA’s operations, Joseph Asatinga has emphasized to the media the critical need for the demolitions.
“This area is meant to be a bus stop for passengers, but it has been turned into a commercial zone,” Asitanga stated, lamenting the takeover by “supermarkets” that have made it nearly impossible for commuters to access public transport.
Asitanga further highlighted grave safety concerns, pointing to rampant illegal electricity connections and individuals effectively turning the area into makeshift homes.
“These illegal connections are a big issue,” he warned, “as some have turned the area into a home with mattresses. If a fire occurs, they claim to have lived there for 20 years, despite warnings to leave.”
The AMA, he stressed, is resolute in its commitment to reclaim public spaces. “The AMA has ordered that all bus stops in the city be cleared and kept for public transport, following safety and cleanliness rules,” Asitanga affirmed.
“The main rule is that bus stops must be available for passengers, meeting AMA’s sanitation standards. This is especially important at Circle Neoplan, and similar actions will be taken at other bus stops where people have set up shops.”
While acknowledging the impact on those affected, Asitanga urged vendors and residents to comply peacefully. “It is best for them to take their belongings elsewhere,” he advised, adding that the clearance zone spans from the bridge to the Circle roundabout.
He confirmed that the AMA had engaged in extensive sensitization efforts in Accra Central and around the Circle area, reiterating that “no one was permitted to stay there.”