The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo, has declared a stringent new measure against unauthorized street vending in Accra’s Central Business District (CBD), announcing a hefty GH₵2,000 fine for traders operating on pavements and streets.
This firm directive follows a major decongestion exercise jointly undertaken by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly today, Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
Touring the CBD during the operation, Minister Ocloo issued a stern warning against any interference with the ongoing cleanup efforts, underscoring the government’s unwavering determination to restore order and cleanliness in the metropolis.
“We are going to activate our task force to work 24 hours,” Minister Ocloo stated. “They are going to draw a red line on the road, so with this, when you cross the line, you have a fee to pay, which is 1500gh, maximum 2000gh. We are going to make sure that we have leaders in all the markets who will be monitoring, aside from the task force, and make sure that the right things are being done.”
This initiative is part of a broader, concerted strategy by city authorities to reduce congestion, enforce existing city bylaws, and significantly improve sanitation standards across the capital.
In a related development, the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) of the AMA, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, revealed that the Assembly is exploring innovative plans to regulate street trading under the government’s proposed 24-hour economy initiative.
He disclosed that the AMA is considering blocking specific streets within the CBD on designated days to create formal spaces for market women.
“For those who do not have space in the market, under the 24-hour economy plan, there is going to be a day that the street will be blocked for the market women to sell on the street and take our ticket while we divert the drivers to a different road,” MCE Allotey explained. “So there will be days that they will be allowed to sell on the street.”
This suggests a future where street trading might be permissible but strictly regulated and confined to designated periods and locations.
