AMA’s Decongestion Battle Turns Chaotic: Trader Defy Orders and Take Over Accra’s Bus Stops and Road

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly’s (AMA) decongestion exercise has encountered resistance from some traders who have reportedly refused to comply with directives to vacate unauthorised trading spaces at bus stops and along major roads in the capital.

The exercise, which forms part of efforts to restore order and improve traffic movement in Accra, is aimed at removing traders whose activities obstruct pedestrian walkways, public transport facilities and sections of the roads.

However, despite the Assembly’s directive, some traders have continued operating from locations earmarked for clearance, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the enforcement exercise.

The situation has renewed discussions about the challenges facing authorities in their efforts to tackle congestion and reclaim public spaces in the city.

The presence of traders at bus stops and roadside locations has often been associated with difficulties for motorists, pedestrians and commercial transport operators. Vehicles sometimes struggle to access designated stopping points, while pedestrians are forced to navigate through congested spaces.

The AMA has repeatedly emphasised the need for traders to operate from approved locations rather than occupy public spaces meant for transportation and pedestrian movement.

The latest development, however, suggests that enforcing the directive may require more than issuing warnings, particularly where traders are unwilling to relocate their businesses.

For some of the traders, roadside trading remains an important source of livelihood, making relocation a difficult decision. Nevertheless, the Assembly faces pressure to ensure that commercial activities do not compromise public safety, accessibility and the smooth movement of traffic.

The development also highlights the need for engagement between city authorities and affected traders to identify practical alternatives that can support their businesses while keeping public spaces accessible.

Authorities are expected to maintain enforcement efforts to ensure compliance with the decongestion directive and prevent traders from returning to cleared areas.

The exercise has therefore become a test of the Assembly’s ability to balance urban order with the economic concerns of people who depend on informal trading for their daily income.

As the decongestion campaign continues, the key question remains whether the AMA can successfully reclaim the city’s bus stops and roads or whether resistance from some traders will undermine the exercise.

For residents and commuters, the expectation is that the exercise will produce lasting improvements rather than temporary clearances that fail to address the persistent congestion problem.

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