The Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has begun direct engagements with street hawkers in the Central Business District (CBD) ahead of a decongestion exercise set to start on Tuesday, May 20.

The initiative is part of a broader plan to restore order and sanitation in the capital city under President John Dramani Mahama’s renewed vision for urban renewal.

Accompanied by the Municipal Chief Executive for Korle Klottey, Mr Allotey toured key trading corridors including Kinbu Road, Kojo Thompson Road, Sempe Road, Swanzy Road, Market Street, Kantamanto, and other hotspots earmarked for clearance. The visit, held on Saturday, aimed to sensitise traders and solicit their cooperation for the upcoming exercise.

“This morning, we are here for good, this is not just Accra, this is Ghana, and anyone who enters Ghana enters Accra,” the Mayor told traders, urging them to reflect on the state of their trading spaces. “Look around, if this were your home, would you keep it like this?”

Allotey explained that the operation is not a punitive measure, but a step towards transforming Accra into a cleaner, more organised city. He introduced key measures aligned with the government’s 24-hour economy agenda, including the installation of solar-powered streetlights and a new rotational trading system that will allow traders to operate in shifts across longer hours.

“We will fix solar lights that work even without electricity,” he stated. “We will block some parts of the roads three to four times a month so that you can trade for 24 hours.”

Addressing economic concerns, the AMA boss announced a reduction in weekly ticketing fees, promising a more flexible and trader-friendly policy. “If you are paying GHS 60.00 a week, we will reduce it to GHS 40.00. If you pay GHS 30.00, it will be reduced to GHS 20.00,” he said. He further pledged to personally reward traders who consistently pay their tickets over a two-month period. However, he warned of stiff penalties for evasion. “If you don’t pay and we catch you, we will charge you ten times the actual price.”

Allotey gave a firm Tuesday deadline for all traders to vacate unauthorised spots. “Please leave the street. I’m begging you. When you leave the street, we can clean the city,” he said. He also announced a planned demarcation system that will enable three traders to share one spot on a rotational basis, each selling for eight hours per day.

He cautioned that items left behind after the deadline would be confiscated and donated to prisons or orphanages. “If we return on Tuesday and your things are still here, they won’t return to you,” he warned.

Acknowledging frustrations over space competition from foreign nationals, he assured traders that the AMA was in discussions with market leaders to resolve the issue. “We are aware of your complaints, including issues with other nationals taking over your spots. I’m engaging the market leaders and we’ll address those concerns too.”

He concluded his address by encouraging traders to engage directly with his office, saying, “Help me to help you. My doors are always open 24/7. Don’t pay money to anyone to see me. Just walk into my office.”

Mr Allotey reiterated the Assembly’s broader goal: to reposition Accra as a modern, clean, and competitive city that reflects Ghana’s aspirations. “This city is very dirty, but with your help, we can clean it. Let’s make Accra a place of pride. This is the beginning of something new.”