Free movement on the Kaneshie station footbridge by pedestrians is being impeded by some traders, who have deserted the designated market to sell on the bridge.
Some traders have taken their activities onto one of the footbridges linking Kaneshie to the Odorkor Highway at the busy Kaneshie Market in the Greater Accra Region.
The Chronicle visited the place on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, and observed that business was booming for these traders, who had displayed their wares on the footbridge, narrowing the walkway with pedestrians compelled to meander on the tiny space left.
These traders had displayed merchandise, including clothing, food items, toiletries, footwear, wigs, and handbags, among many others, on the busy footbridge designed to facilitate easy and safe crossing of the busy Kaneshie-Odorkor Highway by pedestrians.
Some of the wares on sale were seen hanging on the railing of the footbridge, while beggars were also spotted seated on both sides of the stairs with their containers, begging for alms.
On very busy market days, pedestrians are usually seen struggling to move side by side on the footbridge, because both sides have been occupied by traders.
Self-styled pastors, on the other hand, were seen with mounted sound systems and megaphones on the bridge preaching.
Some pedestrians described the activities of the traders as a nuisance, saying they made their movement very difficult.
A pedestrian, Stephen Odai, expressed his displeasure with the activities on the footbridge, saying there were instances where pedestrians accidentally stepped on some of the items displayed on the floor for sale, and the owners get very confrontational, blaming them for such accidents.
He said: “These acts do not speak well of us as a nation, and sell us short to foreigners who visit the country for sightseeing and [for] other various reasons, and they must be stopped now.”
A 38-year-old woman, Madam Mercy Acheampong, lamented that to avoid bumping into other pedestrians, one needed to walk very cautiously and slowly.
A Police Officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, explained how disturbing the situation was, adding that it was sad that the market authorities always looked unconcerned, while some traders openly disregard the set rules and regulations.
He said the traders confidently carried on with the unacceptable activities because they paid daily taxes to officials of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA).
He also acknowledged the fact that occasionally, officials from the AMA embarked on exercises to remove the traders, halting all activities on the footbridge, but they (traders) always return as soon as the AMA taskforce team left the area.
He, therefore, appealed to the city authorities to make a firm decision on restoring discipline among traders in the area.
When contacted, an official of the Kaneshie Market Complex declined to comment on the matter, but rather asked the reporter to bring an official letter in that regard.
By Stephanie Birikorang
