AMA Decongestion: Trader Selling On Pavement Cries Out, Begs For More Time

• A video of a market woman's reaction after the Accra Mayor led a massive decongestion exercise at the Central Business District
• The woman pleaded with the authorities to be lenient and not drive her and others from selling on the pavement
• Social media users who took to the comments section of the video have their views on the decongestion exercise

A major decongestion exercise was carried out in Accra at the Central Business District and other congested areas like the Kwame Nkrumah Circle area and Kaneshie in Accra on Tuesday, May 20.

The exercise led by the Chief Executive for the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Michael Kpakpo Allotey, was aimed at removing street traders and unauthorised structures from pavements.

A video making the rounds online shows a poignant moment when one of the affected traders was seen in a visibly sad mood opening up about her challenges to some journalists on the scene.

She opined that as a mother, the exercise was going to negatively impact her and pleaded with the AMA authorities to be lenient.

The elderly woman also prayed for more time so that she and other traders could find better alternatives.

"Today, we were truly surprised. As you know, the country is in disaster: the economy is hard, and we can’t even cope. Things are too tough, even for us, the indigenous people of this country. What are they telling us to do now? They must place us in appropriate positions so we can care for our children and our families.

"Right now, we want the media to help us, we are dying. They should give us a little relief so we can support our children who are entering secondary school; paying their fees is yet another problem. We need the mayor to show us leniency.We are pleading for leniency; that is the only thing I want to say. My heart is pounding and I feel unwell. One week is far too short; they must extend it to one month." she said

Watch the video below:

Reactions to AMA decongestion

Social media users who took to the comment section of the video shared opinions on the decongestion exercise.

@Hajjyass70 stated:

"Feeding the family doesn’t mean you should put others at risk including your family members Mommy, doing the right thing won’t stop you from running your business."

@Nanaezze added:

"I feel for her. That's why I advocate for relocation venues to be made available. If not, we create other issues while genuinely doing the right thing."

@FRANCIS68568298 replied:

"If this was from Kumasi market woman. The whole Ghana will be angry."

@abdul_quansah reacted:

"I feel for her and all our mothers affected by this exercise taken by the Accra mayor and I plead with them to make relocation available to them to continue their business to support their families."

AMA boss gifts old trader money

Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that the Accra Mayor, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has gifted a 71-year-old trader at the Tudu market GH¢1,000.

The Accra Mayor's benevolent gesture to the elderly woman while at Tudu to supervise a decongestion exercise in the area.

It is unclear what transpired before he donated the money to the trader, but she looked visibly excited about the gesture.

Source: YEN.com.gh