Accra traders will be fined GH₵2,000 for selling on streets – Minister warns

The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Linda Ocloo, has announced strict new measures to clamp down on unauthorized street vending within Accra's Central Business District (CBD), introducing fines of up to GH₵2,000 for traders found operating on pavements and streets.

This decisive action follows a major decongestion exercise carried out on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly.

While touring the CBD during the operation, Minister Ocloo warned against attempts to obstruct the clean-up efforts, emphasizing the government’s commitment to restoring order and enhancing the city’s cleanliness.

“We are going to activate our task force to work 24 hours,” Minister Ocloo stated. “They are going to draw a red line on the road, so with this, when you cross the line, you have a fee to pay, which is 1500gh, maximum 2000gh. We are going to make sure that we have leaders in all the markets who will be monitoring, aside from the task force, and make sure that the right things are being done.”

The measure forms part of a broader strategy by city authorities to ease congestion, enforce urban bylaws, and improve sanitation across Accra.

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) of the AMA, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, indicated that the Assembly is developing new approaches to regulate street trading under the government’s proposed 24-hour economy plan.

He outlined a concept in which certain streets in the CBD could be temporarily closed to vehicles, allowing traders to sell in an organized manner during specified times.

“For those who do not have space in the market, under the 24-hour economy plan, there is going to be a day that the street will be blocked for the market women to sell on the street and take our ticket while we divert the drivers to a different road,” MCE Allotey explained. “So there will be days that they will be allowed to sell on the street.”

This suggests a future approach where street vending could continue, but only under tightly regulated conditions and within clearly defined parameters.