The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), in collaboration with the Okaikwei North Municipal Assembly (ONMA), has cleared traders occupying portions of the Lapaz intersection and dedicated service lanes as part of an ongoing operation to restore order at major bus stops to ease traffic congestion ahead of the Christmas festivities.
The exercise, conducted on Tuesday, November 10, 2026 was led by the Accra Mayor, Michael Kpakpo Allotey and the Okaikwei North Municipal Chief Executive, Christian Tetteh Badger.
The joint task force removed traders and goods obstructing service lanes intended for local traffic, commercial vehicle drop-offs, pedestrian access and vehicles entering or exiting adjoining properties.
The operation also targeted vendors displaying foodstuffs near accumulated refuse heaps at the intersection, raising concerns about food contamination and public health risks.
The Accra Mayor said the exercise followed a 48-hour ultimatum issued to traders occupying unauthorised locations and warned that enforcement would continue across other parts of Accra.
The ONMA MCE said the Assembly was considering designated trading days, Fridays to Sundays, while restricting trading from Mondays to Thursdays.
He also disclosed that a proposed 24-hour economy market was expected to provide organised trading spaces and ease congestion at Lapaz.
The decision to clear traders occupying portions of the Lapaz intersection and dedicated service lanes is a necessary intervention that deserves public support.
For far too long, the indiscriminate occupation of roadsides, pavements and bus stops by traders has undermined road safety, sanitation and the smooth movement of traffic in parts of Accra.
Lapaz presents a particularly troubling example. Sections of the road have effectively been taken over by traders, leaving motorists and pedestrians to compete for increasingly limited space.
At certain points, traders have occupied almost half of the available road space, contributing significantly to congestion and making movement through the area an exhausting experience, particularly during peak hours.
It is, therefore, encouraging that the AMA, working with the Okaikwei North Municipal Assembly, has taken steps to reclaim these spaces.
However, what is equally troubling is the reaction of some traders who, in videos circulating on social media, appeared to politicise the exercise, arguing that they voted for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and would reconsider their political choices in the 2028 elections.
This attitude reflects a worrying misunderstanding of citizenship, governance and democratic responsibility.
Since when did voting for a political party become a licence to disregard the laws of the country? Does electing a government mean that citizens should be permitted to occupy roads, obstruct traffic and compromise public safety without consequences?
And should a government, simply because it received someone’s vote, stand aside and watch that person engage in activities that undermine the collective interest?
Governments are elected to govern, and governance necessarily involves making decisions, enforcing regulations and sometimes taking unpopular but necessary actions.
Citizens, equally, have a responsibility to obey the laws and contribute to the development of their communities.
Development cannot be the exclusive responsibility of government. It requires cooperation between the state and its citizens.
We cannot demand better roads, efficient transport systems, improved sanitation and orderly cities while simultaneously resisting the basic regulations necessary to achieve them.
This does not mean that the concerns of traders should be dismissed. Many depend on daily trading for their livelihoods, and authorities must recognise the economic realities confronting them.
Enforcement must, therefore, be accompanied by practical alternatives, adequate consultation and accessible designated markets. The proposed 24-hour economy market at Lapaz must move beyond announcements and become a viable solution.
Nevertheless, livelihoods cannot be protected at the expense of public safety, sanitation and the rights of other road users.
The AMA must also demonstrate consistency. Clearing traders today only for them to return tomorrow would defeat the purpose of the exercise. Enforcement must be sustained, fair and free from political considerations.
Ghana cannot develop if every attempt to enforce public regulations becomes a partisan contest. We must learn to distinguish political loyalty from civic responsibility.
Supporting a government does not mean endorsing every action of its political opponents, nor does it mean rejecting every necessary decision it makes.
The road belongs to everyone, not just those who trade on it. Our democracy must mature to the point where doing what is right for the country takes precedence over what is politically convenient for individuals.
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