Accra’s Decongestion Drive: A Bold Push Toward Urban Order

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has launched an intensive and sustained decongestion campaign across Ghana’s capital city, signaling a new chapter in the city’s struggle to restore order to its streets, pavements, and commercial centers. Officially kickstarted on May 20, 2025, the exercise is part of a broader strategy to improve mobility, enhance sanitation, and ensure public safety in Accra.
Led by AMA Chief Executive Michael Kpakpo Allotey, the campaign has targeted unauthorized structures, evicted street vendors operating in prohibited areas, and enforced strict traffic and sanitation regulations in major zones, including the Central Business District, Adabraka, Agbogbloshie, and the Circle Neoplan Station.
 
The exercise is being executed in phases, with each day focusing on a specific stretch of the city. Day One began at the AMA office enclave, extending through Kwame Nkrumah Avenue to Adabraka. Subsequent days have seen coordinated actions in areas such as Kaneshie, Agbogbloshie, and the city center, all under heavy supervision by AMA officials, city guards, and police personnel. The operation includes the demolition of makeshift structures, the removal of kiosks and abandoned vehicles, and the re-marking of walkways to facilitate pedestrian access. This level of precision, according to AMA leadership, is what differentiates the current campaign from previous, short-lived attempts. “This isn’t the usual ‘abɔyɛ’ [temporary] measure. This time, it’s a long-term urban transformation project,” said AMA boss Michael Kpakpo Allotey.

Reactions to the exercise have been mixed. Many residents and commuters welcome the initiative, noting the improved flow of human and vehicular traffic and a more aesthetically pleasing city environment. For many pedestrians, the reclaiming of walkways is a long-overdue development. However, for affected traders, the operation has brought hardship. Several vendors whose stalls have been removed argue that they have nowhere else to go and that the government has not provided adequate alternative spaces. Some traders have even returned to previously cleared areas within 24 hours—highlighting the challenge of maintaining progress without continuous enforcement.

The AMA insists this effort is not a flash in the pan. As part of the long-term strategy, the city is exploring options such as a 24-hour market operation model, improved street lighting for safety, and the creation of designated vending zones that do not obstruct public pathways. There are also plans to deploy a dedicated security and monitoring team to ensure compliance and deter illegal reoccupation of cleared spaces. Public education campaigns and stakeholder engagements are being intensified to align traders and residents with the city’s new vision. “We are not just clearing the streets; we are restoring dignity to our public spaces,” Allotey said.
 
The decongestion exercise is a critical part of the broader “Let’s Make Accra Work” agenda, a flagship initiative aimed at making the city cleaner, safer, and more functional for all its residents. While the early signs are encouraging, the sustainability of the campaign will depend on consistent enforcement, community buy-in, and inclusive alternatives for displaced vendors. Accra stands at a crossroads—between chaos and order, improvisation and planning. Whether this latest push becomes a permanent transformation or yet another cycle of stop-and-go will depend on what comes after the cleanup: accountability, commitment, and above all, vision.