Persistent traffic congestion and rising safety concerns have prompted the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to move decisively against the growing practice of illegal road closures across the capital.
Accra Mayor Michael Kpakpo Allotey says unauthorised roadblocks have become too common, disrupting traffic flow and placing motorists and pedestrians at unnecessary risk. He insists the situation can no longer be ignored.
As part of a renewed drive to restore order on Accra’s roads, the Mayor has directed that all illegal roadblocks be removed, warning that anyone found blocking roads without approval will face the full force of the law.
“I am going to really enforce this law,” Mr Allotey said, adding that security agencies have been empowered to act immediately.
“I am going to empower the police, and if they see any roadblock and the person doesn’t have a permit, they should apply the law.”
According to him, the ease with which individuals and groups block roads—often without authorisation—has significantly worsened congestion in several parts of the city.
“We can’t sit in a country where anybody just wakes up and blocks the road,” the Mayor stated, stressing that such actions undermine public order and road safety.
Beyond enforcement, Mr Allotey announced tighter controls in the permit approval process, aimed at preventing indiscriminate authorisation of road closures.
He revealed that district coordinators have been instructed to consult the police before approving any request to block a road.
“I am going to tell my district coordinators not to just grant a permit for anybody who requests a road to be blocked,” he said.
“Before they do that, they must see the district police commander before they go ahead to grant any permit.”
The Mayor explained that the new measures are part of a coordinated effort between the Accra Metropolitan Assembly and the Ghana Police Service to ensure compliance and improve road safety across the city.
He maintained that the ultimate goal is to keep Accra’s roads open, orderly, and safe, while easing the traffic congestion that continues to affect daily movement in the capital.
