The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), in collaboration with the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly (KoKMA), has announced a major decongestion exercise set to begin on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, across the Accra Metropolis.
In a statement signed by the Head of Public Affairs, Gilbert Nii Ankrah, the AMA called on hawkers, traders, and other unauthorized occupants of pavements, footbridges, road shoulders, and public right-of-ways to vacate these areas by the close of Monday, May 19, 2025.
The Assembly explained that the exercise is aimed at eliminating illegal activities and structures that obstruct pedestrian and vehicular movement in the city. The move aligns with the enforcement of the AMA Hawkers Bye-Laws (2017) and Section 117(1) of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2180), which prohibit such encroachments.
The operation, backed by market associations, security agencies, transport unions, and other stakeholders, will be executed in three phases over three days and will target key locations such as:
Central Business District (CBD)
Okashie
Kaneshie Market Area
Kwame Nkrumah Interchange and its surroundings
Phase Breakdown
Day 1 – Tuesday, May 20, 2025:
1. Triangles around AMA Head Office
2. Kinbu Road to Railways (Brewery)
3. ECG Junction (Tema Station) to Railways (King Tackie Statue)
4. King Tackie Statue (Railways Park) to Zongo Lane
5. Opera Square to Coral Paint (Adabraka)
Day 2 – Wednesday, May 21, 2025: 6. Wato Junction to King Tackie Tawiah School (Adabraka)
7. Cow Lane to King Tackie Tawiah Statue (Rawlings Park)
8. UTC Road to Children’s Hospital (Timber Market)
Day 3 – Thursday, May 22, 2025: 9. Kwame Nkrumah Circle – Main Roundabout to VIP Roundabout
10. Las Palmas – Otublohum Street
11. TV Africa – Awudome – Glamour Road
12. Kaneshie – Highway to First Light
13. Pamprom Lane and Kaneshie Footbridges
The AMA revealed that stakeholder consultations were held prior to the announcement, ensuring that alternative market spaces are available to accommodate displaced traders. Plans are also underway to launch a 24-hour city operation model to improve urban sanitation, safety, and support nighttime business activity.
The Assembly urged all affected persons to cooperate and liaise with market leaders to avoid inconvenience. It called on the general public to support the effort to restore order and improve safety in the city.
“We must all join hands to restore order, enhance safety, and make Accra a city we can live in and be proud of,” the statement concluded.
