Mayor of Accra sensitises traders on Monkeypox; urges compliance with

The Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has cautioned traders operating within the Central Business District (CBD) to strictly adhere to the Assembly’s red line policy and maintain proper hygiene in the wake of rising public health concerns, including the threat of monkeypox.

Speaking during a tour of the metropolis on Friday, to continue the reintroduction of the redline policy along the key routes, including the ECG Junction to Ghana School of Law, the Shopping Mall opposite the King Tackie Tawiah Statue, Makola 31st (Kojo Thompson Avenue), and Kinbu Street (Tudu), Mayor Kpakpo Allotey cautioned the traders against selling on road shoulders and obstructing vehicular movement.  

“I’m begging you, please position yourself well, that’s all we want,” the Mayor told traders, stressing that their safety is at risk. 

“Right now, there are diseases like monkeypox out there, and if you’re not careful and you contract it, there’s no medicine,” he added.

He expressed his displeasure at the unsanitary conditions created by some traders and urged them to clean their trading areas immediately after generating waste.

 “This woman has made a lot of rubbish here; I am supposed to sack her. Clean the place as soon as you make the rubbish so that we don’t fall sick. Let’s live peacefully together, change your behaviour, please,” he said.

Mayor Allotey emphasised that his intention was not to oppress traders but to protect lives and restore order.

 “The President did not assign me to come and disturb you, and also, he doesn’t want any problems,” he said.

 “We have only one Ghana. If I don’t see to it and Ghana gets destroyed, you people will say that when the new Mayor came, he was a liar and a lazy person,” he continued.

Reaffirming his commitment to fairness and dialogue, the Mayor said, “No one came here to sack somebody. They didn’t give us power to oppress you. Our president, John Mahama, is not like that”.

He communicates with us behind closed doors before we come out. He said it’s humans we’re going to look after. Humans are not animals. If you’re doing something with them, you have to engage.”

He warned that sensitisation would soon be over from next week, stressing that “Whenever I come around and you have gone contrary to my words, I am going to seize your items and donate them to the Prison Service and the orphanage.” 

The Mayor assured the traders that the pavement and streets have not been sold to any individual, warning against unauthorised occupation while reiterating the Assembly’s commitment to reintroduce the red lines policy to guide traders on where they can lawfully operate, stating, “When you arrange yourself well, we’ll come and mark the line.”

He called on traders to cooperate, make space, and support the city’s quest to restore order and improve public safety.