The Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has declared that the extensive street decongestion initiative will fully commence in February.
He further mentioned that discussions are currently taking place with queen mothers, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), as well as the police and Fire Service.
In an interview, he indicated that grace periods were provided in December due to the festive season, and again in January to enable traders to voluntarily return to their designated workstations.
He pointed out that a “considerable number of street traders already possess containers and designated spaces in the markets, yet they opt not to use them due to the belief that conducting business on the streets is more lucrative.”
In response to concerns regarding vehicle shortages and the recent fare increases, Mayor Allotey stressed that “Accra is a densely populated city and that the fare hikes are unjustified,” he stated.
“My team is actively working to introduce additional buses into the system to alleviate the current transport challenges.”
He also mentioned that some individuals responsible for fare violations have been apprehended and penalized by offering free rides to passengers for three days, adding that imprisonment would exacerbate the existing vehicle shortages.
