The Accra Metropolitan Assembly has announced the rollout of a rotational trading system as part of efforts to sustain the decongestion of the capital’s Central Business District and relocate street traders to designated trading areas.
The initiative follows a notice issued by commercial transport operators, who threatened to stage a demonstration over what they describe as continuous disruption and inconvenience caused by traders occupying key sections of major roads within the city centre.
The new system, according to the Assembly, is aimed at ensuring a balanced approach that accommodates the economic activities of traders while maintaining free flow of traffic and pedestrian safety.
Speaking to Tutuwaa Danso on Starr Today, Head of Public Affairs at the AMA, Gilbert Nii Ankrah said the Rotational Trading System will be critical in maintaining law and order in the Central Business District.
“Originally, the traders were not on the streets, so they must have come from somewhere. Now that they are on the streets, and some areas have become no-go zones, steps are being taken to address the situation.”
“We are currently working to ensure that pavements particularly those wide enough are redemarcated to better accommodate the hawkers. This will help organize them more efficiently and create space for more traders.”
“The Mayor has categorically stated that there will be structured trading activities, including a rotational trading system that will allow vendors to operate 24 hours a day. Additionally, selected streets will be temporarily closed on specific days to facilitate trading activities.”
“In the long term, we are also looking at expanding our market infrastructure to accommodate even more traders. These concerns were raised during stakeholder engagements, and the government has committed to providing funds to support the expansion of markets.”
“In the meantime, we are prioritizing the redemarcation of wider pavements to ensure that more traders can be accommodated in an orderly manner,” he added.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm103.5FM/Benjamin Sackey
