AMA violates by-law, allocates streets to hawkers

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has announced that it has agreed to allocate some space on the streets of Accra to hawkers.

A statement by the Assembly said it has after a meeting with various hawker-groups in the metropolis, agreed to give them space on some major streets to sell.

According to a statement signed by the AMA Public Relations Officer, Numo Blafo, the agreement, dubbed the “redline policy” was first developed last year but could not be immediately implemented.

“It is the hope of the AMA that the hawkers will comport themselves during this period and to report any grievance to the assembly amicable resolution,” the statement said.

The Assembly said although it will permit hawking within the metropolis, indiscriminately carrying our the activity will be in of the AMA's Hawkers bye-laws of 2011.

See the full statement below:

The decision by the AMA seem to be contrary to what many expected of the assembly since the hawkers have been partly blamed for causing human and vehicular traffic congestion and littering within the city.

In some parts of the metropolis, hawkers have taken over pavements and extended their activities to the shoulders of the road, making it difficult for commuters and drivers to move with ease.

It is unclear yet how the AMA would address the issue of congestion and poor sanitation having agreed with the hawkers to allow them carry out their activities without interference.

–
By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @jnyabor