Traders operating on the streets and medians at Lapaz have been given a seven-day ultimatum to vacate the roadside or face enforcement action.
The ultimatum was issued on Thursday when the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Hon. Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, the Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, the Municipal Chief Executive for Okaikwei North Municipal Assembly, Christian Tetteh Badger, and other officials visited the area as part of efforts to decongest Lapaz and restore free movement of vehicles and pedestrians.
Engaging with the traders, the Mayor stated that the authorities were not opposed to trading, but emphasised that trading activities must not obstruct pedestrians and vehicles.
He said the streets were constructed for vehicular movement and not for trading, adding that although the Assembly understood that many traders could not afford shops, they could not be allowed to take over spaces meant for public movement.
The Mayor stated that the Regional Minister was also concerned about the welfare of women traders and did not want them to be forcibly removed; however, the situation had become difficult because authorities were being blamed and insulted over the congestion.
He urged the traders to organise themselves properly and move away from the streets warning that their goods would be seized if they failed to comply.
Addressing the media after the engagement, Mayor Allotey said the operation was a coordinated effort involving the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly and the Okaikwei North Municipal Assembly.
The Greater Accra Regional Minister said although she was concerned about the welfare of women traders and did not want them deprived of their livelihoods, their trading activities must not endanger lives or obstruct movement.
She said the authorities wanted to allow the traders to work, but that had to be done in a manner that ensured free movement of vehicles and pedestrians.
“We want to allow them to trade, but also allow for free movement of vehicles and persons so that we will be safe,” she said.
The Municipal Chief Executive for Okaikwei North said the traders had been given a one-week notice to either move back from the road or relocate.
Hon. Badger disclosed that the Assembly had a long-term plan to relocate Lapaz traders to a proposed 24-hour market to be constructed around the terminal area.
As a temporary measure, the MCE said the Assembly had identified the Niiboi Town, Akweteman, Achimota, Abeka and Kisseman markets within the municipality where some of the traders could be moved to.