AMA Begins Major Decongestion Exercise in Accra CBD Under Red Line Policy
The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has commenced a major decongestion exercise in the Central Business District (CBD), beginning with the re-demarcation of approved trading areas in line with the Red Line policy, which restricts trading to designated spaces.
The operation began at about 4:00 a.m. on Sunday, targeting key commercial corridors in the city to restore order by clearly enforcing boundaries between permitted trading zones and no-trading areas on pavements and roads.
As part of the exercise, AMA officials marked sections around the Liberty House branch of GCB Bank PLC at Kantamanto, extending along the pavement toward the Greater Accra Regional Police Command, as no-trading zones. The exercise also included a clean-up operation, with city authorities washing streets and removing stones and other obstructions placed on roads and walkways.
Speaking during the operation, the Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, said the Assembly had held extensive engagements with traders prior to the exercise. He noted that roadside trading had been allowed to continue through the Christmas festivities and beyond to enable traders to take advantage of increased seasonal sales.
According to the Mayor, the city can no longer permit the sale of goods on roads and certain pavements, stressing that the practice significantly contributes to congestion and disorder within the business district.
He reiterated the Assembly’s commitment to enforcing the Red Line policy to improve traffic flow, ensure pedestrian safety, and enhance overall orderliness in the capital.
