The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has announced plans to roll out a city-wide decongestion operation beginning February 1, targeting selected areas across the capital as part of renewed efforts to improve sanitation and bring order to public spaces.

This will not be the first decongestion initiative undertaken by the Assembly. Earlier exercises stalled largely due to weak enforcement, allowing street trading and congestion to return over time.

Speaking at a joint stakeholders and media briefing, Greater Accra Regional Minister Linda Ocloo said authorities deliberately delayed action during the Christmas season to allow traders enough time to sell their goods and recover investments made for the festivities.

According to her, now that the festive period has ended, strict compliance will be enforced. She noted that traders have had sufficient opportunity to sell their wares and that the Assembly will no longer tolerate activities beyond designated trading boundaries.

She explained that the exercise forms part of a broader agenda to restore Accra’s image as the seat of government and a well-maintained capital city, adding that years of lax enforcement have left the city overcrowded and unattractive.

Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive Michael Kpakpo Allotey assured the public that this decongestion effort will be continuous and firmly enforced. He appealed to traders to cooperate, emphasizing that clear “red-line” zones have been created to indicate areas where trading is prohibited, while allowing selling behind approved boundaries.

He stressed that the Assembly recognizes the challenges faced by traders, particularly those who cannot afford shop rentals, and disclosed that affordable market stalls are currently under construction and will be made available soon.

Mr. Allotey also revealed that multiple security and enforcement agencies, including the Police Service, Fire Service, and Immigration Service, are fully prepared to support the operation.

Traders have therefore been advised to stay away from pavements, footbridges, pedestrian walkways, and all designated no-trading zones once the exercise begins.

Areas earmarked for the operation include Korle-Klottey, Ayawaso Central, Tudu, Ablekuma Central, as well as other parts of the Accra metropolis.