The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), in collaboration with the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly (KoKMA), has commenced an enforcement operation to reclaim bus stops occupied by traders as part of efforts to ease congestion ahead of the Christmas festivities.
The operation, led by Accra Mayor Michael Kpakpo Allotey on Monday, November 9, followed a 48-hour ultimatum issued to traders on November 4, directing them to stop trading and vacate designated bus stops.
The exercise covered the ATU Bus Stop, Circle, Telecel Bus Stop, Kingsway, Kantamanto and Rawlings Park before ending at the 31st December Market Bus Stop. Officials cleared unauthorised trading activities and seized goods obstructing spaces reserved for public transport.
AMA Moves to Restore Bus Stop Access
The Assembly’s intervention follows concerns from commercial drivers that traders occupying designated stopping points were preventing vehicles from accessing bus stops and disrupting passenger pick-ups and drop-offs.
In its November 4 notice, the AMA warned that roadside trading at these locations obstructed vehicular and pedestrian movement, contributed to congestion and forced commuters to board and alight at unsafe points, increasing the risk of road accidents.
The Assembly called on traders to “immediately cease trading and vacate” the affected locations within 48 hours. It further warned that traders who returned to cleared spaces could face additional enforcement, including prosecution under its by-laws.
Addressing the media after the operation, Mr. Allotey maintained that traders had been given sufficient time to comply before enforcement began. He explained that clearing the spaces would allow commercial vehicles to stop safely and provide adequate room for passengers to board and alight.
Christmas Pressure Drives Wider Decongestion Plan
The Mayor described the exercise as part of a 40-day intervention to reclaim public spaces and restore order on Accra’s roads before the festive period. Increased shopping activity and movement during Christmas are expected to place additional demands on transport routes and public spaces.
The AMA has also outlined a broader Christmas traffic-management approach. Under its “Operation Let the Traffic Flow” initiative, selected streets are expected to be designated for trading between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., creating approved spaces for traders while keeping traffic moving. The Mayor announced the plan during the November 7 National Sanitation Day activities.
The bus stop enforcement is therefore part of a wider attempt to balance commercial activity with the need to keep roads, pavements and transport facilities accessible.
Assemblies to Coordinate Enforcement
Mr. Allotey indicated that the exercise would be extended beyond the AMA’s jurisdiction to neighbouring municipalities, including Ga North, Ga Central, Ablekuma South, Ablekuma North, Okaikwei North and Korle Klottey.
He stressed that urban management challenges do not stop at municipal boundaries, arguing that activities in one area can affect traffic and public order in another. The collaboration with KoKMA, he noted, reflects the need for assemblies to coordinate their responses rather than work in isolation.
The operation also places responsibility on traders and transport operators to respect designated public spaces. The AMA has cautioned that cleared locations should not be reoccupied and urged stakeholders to cooperate with enforcement teams.
Makola Redevelopment Progresses
The Mayor also provided an update on the redevelopment of the 31st December Market, indicating that work was progressing and that the first phase was expected to be completed within three weeks. He projected that the second phase would be completed by December, with the third phase scheduled for January or February 2027.
The redevelopment follows an agreement reached in July between the AMA and affected traders on temporary relocation arrangements. The Assembly indicated that the project was expected to be completed within six months after the traders relocated, with existing shop owners given the first option to receive shops in the redeveloped facility.
Mr. Allotey described the project as an opportunity for the government to demonstrate its commitment to delivering on its promises to Ghanaians. The coming weeks will test whether the assemblies can sustain enforcement while providing workable trading arrangements for businesses whose livelihoods depend on the city’s busy commercial districts.
READ ALSO: Rice Importers Face 50% Local Purchase Rule
