The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has commenced an enforcement exercise to remove unauthorised structures occupying road shoulders and government-reserved lands across the metropolis.
The operation, led by the Mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, covered several locations including the Awudome Cemetery stretch, Awudome Roundabout, the frontage of the Royal House Chapel, North Kaneshie Last Stop, and the Tuesday Market. Informal structures encroaching on public spaces in these areas were dismantled.
At the Tuesday Market, the Mayor inspected ongoing solid waste evacuation and the desilting of drains around the market as part of efforts to enhance sanitation and improve pedestrian and vehicular movement. He ordered the removal of all privately erected structures within the market to make way for redevelopment and announced that a major clean-up exercise would be carried out there during the next National Sanitation Day.
The Mayor also inspected a facility believed to be an AMA warehouse and directed its managers to report to the Assembly for clarification regarding its use and management.
The exercise further involved the removal of unauthorised structures along the Awudome Cemetery corridor and the frontage of the Royal House Chapel. Persons engaged in activities such as air-conditioning repairs, vulcanising, food vending and the sale of vehicle spare parts were cleared from the area and cautioned against returning.
At the Awudome Roundabout, the team dismantled illegal structures, cleared scrap dealers, and removed banners, billboards and canopies mounted along the road corridor.
The operation later moved to North Kaneshie Last Stop, where the Mayor directed a fitting shop operating beneath an ECG high-tension pole to vacate the area by Friday, warning that vehicles parked there would be towed if the directive was ignored.
Addressing the media, the Mayor said the AMA would sustain the enforcement exercise to reclaim road shoulders, walkways and public lands, noting that the unauthorised use of such spaces worsens sanitation conditions and poses serious safety risks.
He explained that the ongoing removals form part of preparations toward the February 1 decongestion exercise and cautioned that individuals who return to cleared areas would be dealt with according to the law.
Mr Allotey added that the Assembly would continue to engage stakeholders while enforcing regulations to ensure that Accra remains orderly, accessible and safe.
