AMA Re-demarcates "Red Lines" in Major Decongestion Exercise Across Accra’s Central Business District

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has launched a significant decongestion operation in the Central Business District (CBD) to restore urban order and enforce city bylaws. Commencing at 4:00 a.m. on Sunday, the exercise focused on the re-demarcation of trading zones under the assembly's "Red Line" policy. This initiative seeks to clearly distinguish between permissible trading spaces and strictly prohibited no-trading zones, particularly on pavements and arterial roads that have become heavily congested. A primary feature of this operation is the painting of red lines to mark the boundaries where traders are allowed to operate. City officials focused on high-traffic areas, including the surroundings of the Liberty House branch of GCB Bank PLC. Beyond demarcation, the exercise included a comprehensive clean-up of streets and walkways, removing obstacles that have long hindered pedestrian movement and vehicular flow. This move follows a period of relative leniency during the recent festive season, where the city allowed some flexibility for traders. Accra Mayor Michael Kpakpo Allotey emphasized that while the assembly had previously engaged with traders to allow roadside sales during the holidays, that period has now concluded. The Mayor stated that the current level of congestion is unsustainable and that traders must now relocate to designated market stalls. He reiterated that the streets are for transit, not commerce, and that enforcing these boundaries is essential for the city’s functionality and sanitation. This decongestion exercise is not a one-off event but rather the start of a sustained, year-long program aimed at maintaining a cleaner and more organized capital. The AMA intends to conduct regular monitoring to ensure that traders do not creep back across the red lines. By prioritizing urban planning and the use of formal market structures, the Assembly hopes to improve the overall business environment and safety within the CBD for both vendors and the general public.