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AMA kicks off major decongestion exercise in Accra
The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, officially commenced a long-anticipated decongestion exercise across major parts of the Central Business District (CBD) to clear unauthorised trading activities from pavements and on the streets.
The operation, which began at 4:00 a.m. and was supervised by the Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, targeted Kinbu Street and extended through Makola, CMB, Circle, and Kaneshie.
In an interaction with hawkers, during the exercise, Mayor Allotey reiterated that the operation was a necessity, not an act of aggression, stressing that it aimed to clean Accra and make it a model capital for the sub-region.
He used the opportunity to announce several measures under the government’s 24-hour economy agenda, including the installation of solar-powered streetlights and a new rotational trading system that would allow traders to sell for longer hours on selected days.
He announced plans to select trader leaders to oversee sanitation responsibilities in various trading enclaves, warning that failure to keep areas clean would result in severe penalties, including confiscation of wares.
Addressing some transport operators who have taken over portions of the streets for loading, the Mayor cautioned them to stay away from loading on the streets and move into the stations for safety, saying, “You’re the same people now causing the problem.”
“Some of you complain politicians are destroying the country, but what you’re doing here is also wrong. If we destroy this city, we’ll all suffer,” he cautioned.
Briefing the media after the initial rounds of enforcement, Mr.Allotey emphasised that the exercise was not a nine-day wonder or designed to frustrate traders, but to restore order and dignity to the capital.
“We are not here to sack anyone. The President didn’t appoint me to mistreat traders. That’s why I speak to you with humility and explain our plans. For today, we won’t seize your items. But from tomorrow, if we find you violating the rules, we will confiscate your goods and give them to charity,” he warned.
The Mayor assured traders of his open-door policy, urging them not to retaliate when they encounter misconduct from city guards.
“If any AMA worker offends you, don’t fight them. Come directly to my office — you don’t need an appointment. I am the Mayor for the people,” he said.
While touring the Circle area, Mayor Kpakpo Allotey revealed plans to construct affordable mini shops for hawkers along cleared areas to offer a more sustainable trading option.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly (KoKMA), Alfred Ato Allotey-Gaisie, commended the traders for the level of cooperation received, noting that the operation had been largely successful.
“We started from the Kinbu area and moved through Makola, CMB, Circle, and Kaneshie. Especially at Kaneshie, we saw that traders had moved back to the demarcated areas. The bridge is completely cleared,” he said.
Mr.Gaisie stressed that the operation would continue daily until Friday to ensure full compliance, clarifying that not all traders would be moved entirely from the streets.
“We’ll do the same thing tomorrow and the day after. Our aim is not to harass anyone, but to ensure free movement for both pedestrians and vehicles. Already, we’ve seen massive improvement today. We’ve drawn a red line and will arrange traders along it. We’re not displacing everyone,” he stated.
He also hinted at a rotational system for trading in congested zones such as Katamanto and parts of the CBD, proposing two designated days in a week where traders can operate along certain streets into the night.
“This will help them earn their income without returning to illegal spots. We don’t want to frustrate anyone. Everyone has the right to feed their families — but we also have a responsibility to maintain law and order,” Mr. Gaisie noted.
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Prioritise affordable treatment of sickle cell treatment —Health Expert
Health experts have urged Ghana to prioritise affordable and accessible treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD) as advanced, but costly curative therapies remain out of reach.
SCD, an inherited blood disorder, affects about three in every 100 newborns in Ghana.
Globally, around 1,000 babies are born with the condition daily, with three-quarters in sub-Saharan Africa.
The disease causes severe complications including chronic pain, anaemia, infections, strokes and organ damage, often leading to shortened life expectancy.
In recent years, gene therapy has been developed as a potential cure.
However, its cost—running into millions of dollars per patient—makes it financially and technically inaccessible in Ghana.
According to Dr Lawrence Osei-Tutu, a Sickle Cell and Childhood Cancer Expert at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, “the country must instead focus on practical, lower-cost interventions such as hydroxyurea”, a decades-old cancer drug proven to reduce painful episodes, hospitalisation and life- threatening complications in SCD patients”.
Taken orally, the medicine improves red blood cell function and is considered safe and effective.
“Hydroxyurea therapy is as good as the cure and a low-hanging fruit to pluck, we must bring a cure to our sickle cell warriors, but do so sustainably.” he urged.
In a chat with The Spectator here, he said to create awareness on the disease, the expert noted that despite its benefits, “hydroxyurea is not widely accessible in Ghana.”
Stressing that, “many patients either cannot afford it or struggle with irregular supply through the health system.”
Moreover, he argued that scaling up access would provide immediate relief while the country builds the infrastructure, trains specialists and secures funding needed to support curative therapies in the future.
With an estimated 15,000 babies born with sickle cell disease annually in Ghana, Dr Osei Tutu cautioned that “failure to improve access to effective treatment will leave many patients vulnerable to preventable complications and early death.”
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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Let’s reintroduce Cultural Studies to complement educational reforms — Tourism Minister
Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has emphasised the importance of reintroducing Cultural Studies in schools as part of Ghana’s broader educational reform agenda.
She said Cultural Studies would complement existing efforts to reposition Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to promote digital literacy and expand Creative Arts education.
Speaking at the 2025 Homowo Festival of the people of Ningo-Prampram, held on the theme: “Education: The Best Legacy for our Children,” Madam Gomashie said cultural education was critical to national identity and development.
She noted that the festival’s theme aligned with the Government’s vision to transform education in Ghana and encouraged the youth to embrace it not only as a means of personal development but also as a way of preserving traditional values.
These values, including patience, wisdom, and hard work, were at the core of the Homowo celebration, the Minister said.
“Cultural festivals like Homowo are vital instruments for strengthening cultural identity, preserving historical memory, and fostering national unity. Additionally, festivals serve as platforms for educating the youth through storytelling, music, dance, and other traditional practices, while also providing opportunities for community engagement.”
Madam Gomashie highlighted the strong foundation that Ghana’s tourism was built on, which included culture, traditions, and the creative industry, collectively contributing to over GH¢4.8 billion to the economy.
“Festivals give tourists reasons to visit our country. Therefore, with the right infrastructure and the development of all the domains, the sector can do more than what has been recorded,” she added.
Mr Sam Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, commended the community for their vibrant participation in the festival. He announced plans for the construction of a new nursing training school in Ningo, aimed at expanding access to healthcare education in the area.
Nene Osroagbo Djangmah XII, Paramount Chief of Great Ningo Traditional Area; King Dr Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse; Nene Tetteh Wakah III, Paramount Chief of the Prampram Traditional Area; Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III, Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Area; Naana Dugbakuwor Dugba II, Paramount Queen Mother of Great Ningo; and Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Special Envoy on Religion and Inter-Faith Affairs, who represented the Chief of Staff, were among dignitaries at the festival. -GNA
