Strict supervision is key to driving traders off the street – Market queen

Madam Mercy Afrowa Needjan is the President of the Greater Accra Markets Association. She has highlighted the urgent need for enforcement against street trading in Accra’s central business district.

On May 20, during a JoyNews interview, she stressed that relocating traders to market spaces requires consistent supervision.

“The only thing is strict supervision,” she said. “If there is strict supervision, they will stay in their working spaces.” She added that if the mayor directs them to their designated areas, strict oversight is necessary to keep them off the streets.

Madam Needjan pointed out that without follow-up enforcement, traders often return to street spaces quickly after being relocated.

She explained that when some traders see others back on the streets without punishment, they are likely to do the same. “So, strict supervision will solve the problem," she stated.

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly began a major decongestion exercise on May 20, 2025.

This operation focuses on areas near the AMA Head Office. Key locations include Kinbu Road to Railways and ECG Junction to King Tackie Tawiah Statue.

This decongestion campaign aims to restore order and improve sanitation across Accra.