The Mayor of Accra, Michael Allotey, has issued a final ultimatum to street traders operating illegally on pavements and busy roads in the capital, giving them until Tuesday, 20 May, to vacate or face forcible removal.

Addressing the media at the AMA City Hall, Mr Allotey said the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) will no longer tolerate unauthorised street trading, which continues to pose safety hazards and contribute to urban congestion.

“There’s no time for empty promises,” the mayor declared. “From the day I took office, I made a commitment to myself: ‘I’ll make sure my car is clean.’ It’s a personal promise, but today, I am making that promise to all of us. The streets are not for selling. They are places for cars, not for trade.”

He lamented how pavements, originally intended for pedestrian use, have become overrun by petty traders, creating unsafe and unsanitary conditions.
“The pavements have become overcrowded, and now they occupy almost half of the streets. If I wait for something bad to happen, they might even turn against the mayor of this city,” he added.

Mr Allotey stressed that the exercise is not a witch-hunt but part of a broader initiative to decongest Accra and improve urban mobility.

“We are not removing traders simply because we have the power to do so. Our goal is to keep the city clean,” he said. “We have consulted with market women, the GPLTU, and the police. We are doing this to improve conditions for everyone.”

He said enforcement would begin from Okaishie, extending through Circle and Kaneshie.

“As the mayor of Accra, I cannot allow this to continue. Starting on Tuesday, we will begin the exercise. Please understand, we are not targeting anyone personally.”

The mayor ended with a clear plea: “We ask you, please, to move before we arrive. This is a promise I intend to keep. If by Tuesday you have not moved, we will have no choice but to remove you.”