AMA begins CBD decongestion with enforcement of red line trading policy

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has launched a major decongestion exercise in the Central Business District (CBD), beginning with the re-demarcation of approved trading areas under the Red Line policy, which restricts trading to designated locations.

The operation started at about 4:00 a.m. on Sunday and targeted key commercial corridors, as city authorities enforced clear boundaries between permitted trading zones and no-trading areas on roads and pavements.

As part of the exercise, AMA officials marked sections around the Liberty House branch of GCB Bank PLC at Kantamanto, extending along the pavement towards the Greater Accra Regional Police Command, as no-trading zones.

The exercise also included a clean-up operation, with teams washing streets and removing stones and other obstructions placed on roads and walkways.

Addressing the media during the operation, the Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, said the Assembly had held extensive engagements with traders ahead of the exercise and had allowed roadside trading to continue through the Christmas season and beyond to enable traders to take advantage of increased festive sales.

He explained that the city could no longer allow trading on roads and certain pavements, noting that the practice significantly contributes to congestion and disorder in the business district.

Mr Allotey added that although space is available within designated markets, many traders have chosen not to use those facilities and have instead occupied streets and walkways.

“With the festive season over, we must restore order and ensure that trading takes place in appropriate locations,” he said.

He stressed that the decongestion exercise is not a one-off operation but a sustained, year-long programme aimed at making Accra cleaner, safer and better organised.