The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has begun removing unauthorised structures along the shoulders of major streets and on government-reserved lands across the metropolis.
The operation, led by the Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, focused on areas including the Awudome Cemetery stretch, the Awudome roundabout, the frontage of the Royal House Chapel, and the North Kaneshie Last Stop, as well as the Tuesday market, where informal structures occupying public space were removed.
At the Tuesday Market, the Mayor inspected the ongoing evacuation of solid waste and the desilting of drains around the market area as part of preparations to improve sanitation conditions and ease movement.
He ordered the removal of all private structures erected within the market to make way for the redevelopment of the facility and announced that the Assembly would undertake a major clean-up exercise there during the next National Sanitation Day activity.
The Mayor also inspected a facility said to be an AMA warehouse and directed the managers to report to the Assembly for clarification on its use and management.
The operation also saw the removal of structures along the Awudome Cemetery corridor, as well as the frontage of the Royal House Chapel, where persons engaged in activities, including air-conditioning repairs, vulcanising, food vending, and the sale of car spare parts, were removed from the area, while owners were cautioned not to return.
At the Awudome roundabout, the Mayor and his team cleared unauthorised structures, scrap dealers and also removed banners, billboards as well as canopies positioned along the road corridor.
The team later moved to North Kaneshie Last Stop, where the Mayor directed a fitting shop operating under an ECG high-tension pole to leave the area by Friday, warning that vehicles parked there would be towed if the directive was not complied with.
Speaking during the operation, the Mayor said the Assembly would sustain the enforcement actions to reclaim road shoulders, walkways and public lands, insisting that unauthorised occupation of public spaces contributed to sanitation challenges and safety risks.
He noted that the ongoing removals formed part of broader measures ahead of the February 1 decongestion exercise and warned that persons who return to cleared areas would face the law.
He added that the AMA would continue engaging stakeholders while ensuring that the rules governing public spaces were complied with to keep Accra orderly, accessible and safe.
