Accra, Ghana — A new chapter in the long-running battle over public space in Ghana’s capital city has begun, as authorities roll out an ambitious decongestion exercise to clear unauthorised traders from the central business district. The move, spearheaded by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly, has sparked both hope and frustration, reigniting debates over urban planning, economic survival, and civic order.
Streets Turned into Markets
On any ordinary day, a walk through Accra’s central business district reveals a chaotic scene. Pavements designed for pedestrians are instead jammed with makeshift stalls, hawkers, and vendors selling everything from second-hand clothes to food and electronics. The result is a crowded, disorderly urban core where movement is a daily struggle for both foot traffic and vehicles.
What was once a temporary response to economic hardship has now become a semi-permanent fixture of city life—one that poses a challenge for both municipal authorities and residents alike.
The Decongestion Plan
Determined to reclaim public walkways and roads, the AMA and Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly have deployed a joint task force to carry out what officials describe as a renewed and sustained effort to restore order to Accra’s streets.
“This is not just a cleanup; it’s a coordinated strategy to restore the city’s image and functionality,” said Gilbert Nii Ankrah, Public Relations Officer for the AMA. “We are asking traders occupying unauthorised spaces to relocate voluntarily to designated markets.”
The campaign is the latest in a series of efforts by city authorities to tackle street trading and congestion, including the widely publicised Operation Clean Your Frontage. However, many of these past interventions have failed to yield lasting results.
Traders Push Back: “We’re Just Trying to Survive”
While the task force has so far attempted to engage traders peacefully, the response on the ground has been anything but calm. Many of the traders—predominantly women—have expressed deep concern and anger over the operation, citing limited alternatives and the absence of meaningful support from authorities.
“We’re not here because we want to defy the law,” said Agnes Aboagye, a mother of three who has sold wares in Makola for over 15 years. “We’re here because we have to feed our families. If they move us, where do they expect us to go?”
Other traders echoed her sentiments, describing how formal market spaces are often either full, too expensive, or located in areas with low customer traffic.
“They say go to the market, but the sheds are full and no one comes to buy there,” said Adwoa Kwartemaa, a food vendor. “Here on the roadside, we can at least earn something every day.”
A Familiar Cycle of Efforts and Failures
Observers of Accra’s urban development are cautious in their optimism. This is far from the first time authorities have attempted to evict traders from public spaces. Previous campaigns—launched with fanfare and force—have often fizzled out within weeks or months.
“What’s often missing is the political will to see it through,” Ankrah admitted. “We’ve seen plans implemented and then abandoned. Traders simply return once the task forces are gone.”
Indeed, critics argue that without a sustainable approach that balances enforcement with economic alternatives, the initiative is unlikely to produce long-term change.
Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Agyeman, an urban development expert at the University of Ghana, believes a multi-stakeholder dialogue is essential. “You cannot approach this issue solely with bulldozers and police. It’s about urban inclusion,” he said. “Street trading is a symptom of wider economic issues like unemployment and poverty. Until those are addressed, this problem will persist.”
Searching for a Lasting Solution
City authorities claim this time will be different. A key part of the new strategy involves not just enforcement, but relocation. The AMA says it has earmarked specific market spaces that are being prepared to receive the affected traders.
“We are not just evicting people and leaving them stranded,” Ankrah said. “There’s a plan to relocate them to safer, cleaner environments where they can continue their businesses.”
Still, skepticism remains high. Traders insist they’ve heard these promises before, only to be left with no support or facilities.
The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) has also called for more engagement and transparency, warning that any confrontational approach could escalate tensions and harm the livelihoods of thousands.
“We support order and compliance,” said GUTA spokesperson Joseph Obeng, “but it must be humane. Traders are not criminals. They are hardworking Ghanaians trying to survive in a difficult economy.”
What’s at Stake?
The decongestion campaign is not just about aesthetics. Experts warn that the continued encroachment of roads and walkways poses serious safety risks, blocks emergency services, and degrades the overall urban environment.
Pedestrians are forced to walk on roads, increasing accidents, while traffic congestion worsens with vendors spilling into major thoroughfares. Tourists and investors are often met with chaotic scenes that undermine efforts to promote Accra as a modern, investor-friendly capital.
“This is not just a fight for space—it’s a fight for the soul of the city,” said Dr. Agyeman. “The question is, can Accra balance progress with compassion?”
Accra Waits and Watches
As bulldozers idle and task force members patrol the streets, Accra’s residents are watching closely. Will this campaign succeed where others have failed? Or will it follow the familiar cycle of effort, resistance, and eventual retreat?
For traders like Agnes Aboagye, the stakes are deeply personal.
“We’ve been through this before,” she said. “But we will keep coming back because we have no choice.”
