Accra Mayor Michael Kpakpo Allotey has banned all hawking, trading, and unauthorized commercial activities under the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange. Offenders will face immediate prosecution, a measure enforced as of Tuesday, June 17, 2026.
This directive aims to restore public order, improve sanitation, and ensure the free flow of traffic and pedestrian movement. It impacts numerous informal vendors, beggars, and individuals using the public space for activities not permitted by city by-laws. The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) initiated this crackdown during a working visit to the Okaikoi South Sub-Metropolitan District.
This enforcement action aligns with the AMA's broader agenda to improve urban management and public health standards in Accra. Previous reports from StatsGH have highlighted the persistent challenges of informal trade and sanitation in the capital. The city's rapid urbanization has led to increasing pressure on public spaces, often resulting in congestion and unhygienic conditions. This move follows other recent efforts by the Mayor, including demolishing illegal structures and penalizing sanitation offenders, to create a more organized city environment.
Mayor Allotey stated that the Assembly will no longer tolerate the use of the area for commercial activities, food vending, sleeping, or any other unauthorized purpose. He emphasized that the space must remain clean, safe, and free of obstructions. The Mayor warned that anyone found engaging in illegal activities under the interchange would be dealt with according to the law.
This crackdown has significant implications for Accra’s informal economy, which supports a large portion of the city’s population. The affected traders and vendors will need to find alternative legal spaces for their businesses, potentially impacting their livelihoods. Observers will monitor how effectively the AMA sustains this enforcement and whether it provides alternative solutions for the displaced vendors. The city’s efforts to balance urban development with the economic realities of its informal sector will be a key point of interest for policymakers and residents alike. The Mayor also directed owners of drinking spots, managers of the VVIP Station, and cattle owners along Otublohum Road to desilt choked gutters within 24 hours.