Traders operating on pavements and streets in Accra’s Central Business District (CBD) will now face fines of up to GH₵2,000, according to a directive issued by the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo.
This announcement comes as part of a renewed campaign to decongest the city and restore order to the capital’s busiest commercial areas.
The policy was announced on May 20, 2025, following a large-scale decongestion operation led by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly.
These exercises are in response to growing concerns about congestion, sanitation, and pedestrian safety in Accra’s urban core.
Minister Ocloo stated that traders who disregard the city’s regulations by selling on pavements and roadways will be fined between GH₵1,500 and GH₵2,000. A task force will be activated to enforce these bylaws round-the-clock, drawing red lines on roads to demarcate no-trading zones. Any trader who crosses these lines will be penalized.
“This exercise is not temporary,” Minister Ocloo emphasized. “We are determined to ensure our city remains clean, orderly, and accessible to all. This is a collective responsibility.”
To strengthen enforcement, the Ministry plans to appoint market leaders to work alongside the task force, monitoring trading activities and supporting compliance. These leaders will help ensure that no one obstructs the city’s sanitation and decongestion efforts.
In a related development, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly is exploring strategies to align the needs of street traders with the government’s 24-hour economy policy. AMA Chief Executive Michael Kpakpo Allotey suggested that some streets in the CBD may be closed to vehicular traffic at designated times, allowing for regulated trading in a more organized and legal framework.
This dual approach—strict enforcement during peak hours and structured trading during off-peak periods—is intended to create a balanced solution that benefits both traders and city dwellers.
The new policy has sparked widespread discussions among vendors, residents, and urban planners. While some welcome the move as a necessary step toward a cleaner and safer city, others call for the provision of more designated trading areas to accommodate displaced traders.
As the implementation unfolds, the Ministry encourages all traders to adhere to the new regulations and take advantage of officially designated markets and trading areas.
