Ahead of a significant decongestion effort that is scheduled to start on Tuesday, May 20, Accra Mayor Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey has made direct contact with street vendors in several areas of the CBD today.
Along with the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly, Mayor Kpakpo Allotey visited several strategic locations in the city on Saturday to discuss new citywide commerce changes and make a request for cooperation.
In addition to other locations designated for clearance in the first phase of the operation, the engagement encompassed Kinbu Road, Kojo Thompson Road, Sempe Road, Swanzy Road, Guggisberg Avenue, Market Street, Okaishie Road, Kantamanto Street, Nsawam Road, and Paa Grant Street.
Speaking to the vendors and hawkers, Mayor Allotey emphasized that the exercise was necessary and not an act of hostility, with the goal of cleaning Accra and making it a model city for the subregion.
“This morning, we are here for good; this is not just Accra, this is Ghana, and anyone who enters Ghana enters Accra. Look around. If this were your home, would you keep it like this?” He questioned hawkers, he asked.
“We will fix solar lights that work even without electricity,” he stated, adding, “We will block some parts of the roads three to four times a month so that you can trade for 24 hours.”
A new rotating trading system that would enable traders to sell for extended hours on specific days and the construction of solar-powered street lighting are just two of the measures the mayor announced during the event as part of the government’s 24-hour economy strategy.
In order to lessen the financial strain on traders, Hon. Allotey also presented a new ticketing procedure, warning that those who fail to pay for their tickets may face consequences.
“We all know the dollar is coming down, so it should reflect in your cost of doing business. If you are paying GHS 60.00 a week for tickets, we will reduce it to GHS 40.00. If you pay GHS 30.00, it will be reduced to GHS 20.00. And if you buy tickets for two months and bring them to my office, I will reward you because you are a good citizen. If you don’t pay and we catch you, we will charge you ten times the actual price,” he warned.
Mayor Allotey fervently asked street vendors to leave the area by Tuesday so that order and sanitation could be restored. “Please leave the street. I’m begging you. When you leave the street, we can clean the city. We will come and demarcate the area so that three people can rotate in one space, each selling for eight hours.”
He warned that after the deadline, any goods found on the streets would be seized and given to orphanages or prisons.
“If we return on Tuesday and your things are still here, they won’t return to you,” he said. “We will give them to those who need them. We are aware of your complaints, including issues with other nationals taking over your spots. I’m engaging the market leaders, and we’ll address those concerns too,” he assured.
“Help me to help you,” Mayor Allotey said to the traders in a call for cooperation. My doors are open around the clock. Don’t give anyone money to come see me. Simply enter my office.
Under the direction of President John Dramani Mahama, Mayor Kpakpo Allotey reaffirmed that the goal of the decongestion was to restore the capital to a cleaner, safer, and more equitable trading environment rather than to destroy livelihoods.
“This city is very dirty, but with your help, we can clean it. Let’s make Accra a place of pride,” the Mayor said. “This is the beginning of something new.”
Source: newsthemegh.com